Greetings from the heart of deep south Texas! Rio Amateur Radio Club (Rio ARC) is thrilled to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our website’s launch. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our visitors and hope this website provides you with valuable information about Ham Radio in general and updates on the activities of Rio ARC.
Rio ARC proudly calls Harlingen, affectionately known as “The Tropical Playground of Texas,” our home. Nestled at the intersection of I-2 and I-69E in Cameron County, we warmly welcome the entire Rio Grande Valley (RGV), including McAllen, Brownsville, South Padre Island, Port Isabel, San Benito, Raymondville, and of course, Harlingen. These cities and the numerous unincorporated communities in the RGV contribute to making this the best place to live in Texas and the United States.
At Rio ARC, we welcome individuals with a passion for Ham radio communications, electronics, and computer theory, recognizing their significant role in the world of Amateur Radio. However, we understand that it’s not just about technology; it’s also about the extraordinary sense of camaraderie and community that amateur radio enthusiasts experience. We provide an opportunity for you to form lasting friendships with fellow Hams who share your enthusiasm. We organize engaging club events and social gatherings, fostering connections, idea sharing, and the creation of cherished memories.
Join us for our informal breakfast meetups, held twice a week, where we gather over delicious food, great company, and lively conversations covering amateur radio and various other topics. You can find the locations of our meetups in Future Events just below on this page or view our calendar page for more information.
Calling all Rio Amateur Radio Club Members! It’s that magical time of year when we put down our microphones and straight keys (just for a bit) and pick up some festive cheer. Join us on December 10th for our annual Christmas party, where the only thing more festive than our holiday sweaters will be our attempts to decipher Santa’s Morse code messages! Bring your appetite for holiday treats and your best (or worst) radio-themed jokes.—we’ll be looking out for the most “electrifying” puns!
We’ll have more food than you can shake an antenna at, that is if you order that much. Expect loud conversations that involve more transmission errors than actual signals. Just remember, whether your signal is 5x9 or 2x2, the key is to have fun!
So dust off your holiday spirit, grab your favorite Christmas hat and mittens, and tune in for a night of laughter, food, and fellowship. It’s the one time of year when we can gather in person without worrying about interference! RSVP by December 1st to ensure your spot on the nice list—and remember, “CQ Christmas Party” will be our official call sign for the evening. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 73 K5RGV
Please click the link for specific information of where and when this Winter Wonderland will occur.
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 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:
November 12, 2024
No meeting in December
January 14, 2025
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
December 9, 2025
Harlingen Irrigation District, 301 E. Pierce Ave., Harlingen, TX . 78550
Rio ARC Hamfest 7:30 am to 12:00 pm February 8th 2025.
We are currently working on the final touches to this coming years Hamfest. Please check back here soon for all details.
Sunshine RV Resort
1900 Grace Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550
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.
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."