"Over the coming months on this venue, I plan to present a variety of technical pieces and stories from nearly 70 years as an active ham."
The Rio Amateur Radio Club extends our heartfelt thanks to all the vendors and visitors who joined us at the 2025 Rio ARC Hamfest. We hope everyone had a fantastic time and look forward to seeing you again at next year’s event!
A Warm Welcome from Deep South Texas!
Greetings from the Rio Amateur Radio Club (Rio ARC)! We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our club and want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our visitors. Whether you're a seasoned Ham, just getting started, or simply curious about Amateur Radio, we hope this website becomes a valuable resource for you!
Our Home in the Rio Grande Valley
Based in Harlingen—affectionately known as “The Tropical Playground of Texas”—we proudly serve the entire Rio Grande Valley (RGV), including McAllen, Brownsville, South Padre Island, Port Isabel, San Benito, Raymondville, and beyond. Our vibrant community, rich in culture and warmth, makes this one of the best places to live, not just in Texas, but in the entire United States!
More Than Just a Hobby—A Community!
At Rio ARC, we welcome anyone with an interest in Ham radio, electronics, and computer theory, but we know that Amateur Radio is about so much more than technology. It’s about friendship, camaraderie, and shared experiences. Our club is a place where you can connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships with fellow Hams.
Join Us for Good Food & Great Conversations!
We’d love to meet you! Join us for our informal breakfast meetups, held twice a week, where we enjoy delicious food, lively discussions about radio and beyond, and most importantly—each other’s company. You’ll find the details for our meetups in the Future Events section below or on our calendar page.
Whether you're here to explore, learn, or connect—welcome to Rio ARC! We can’t wait to hear your voice on the airwaves and see you at one of our gatherings.
Future Events
Breakfast Every Wednesday at 8:00 am
Los Leones in La Feria , 109 N Main St, La Feria, TX 78559-5004
Breakfast Every Saturday at 8:00 am
Tejano Grill in Harlingen, 803 S 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, TX 78550
2025 ARRL Field Day is June 28. Rio ARC will be at Dixieland Park from 1:00pm until about 5:00pm. Just look for the Rio ARC Banner.
Dixieland Park, Harlingen, TX 78550
Monthly Club Meeting, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm 2nd Tuesday of each month, except December.
Meeting Schedule:
February 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 10, 2025
July 8, 2025
August 12, 2025
September 9, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 11, 2025
No Meeting for December
Harlingen Irrigation District, 301 E. Pierce Ave., Harlingen, TX . 78550
It’s never too early to start preparing for your visit to Harlingen and the many exciting destinations in the Rio Grande Valley!
To stay informed about the 2026 Rio ARC Hamfest, just click the link below and sign up for updates. We’ll keep you posted on event details, dates, and more!
Sign Up Here
We can’t wait to see you next year! 73!
Are you looking for help getting your Amateur Radio License? We have a range of resources to support you, including helpful links to learn about amateur radio, assistance with testing, and instructional videos that guide you through the entire process.
Rudy (AE5ND) and Tom (WT5TX) working the 2025 Winter Field Day.
Byron (KI5GNH) relaxing while averaging 50 plus contacts an hour during the 2025 Winter Field Day.
Barry's Corner
Barry A. Boothe, W9UCW
"Over the coming months on this venue, I plan to present a variety of technical pieces and stories from nearly 70 years as an active ham."
