"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."
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.
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
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Location: 1900 Grace Avenue, Harlingen, Texas
Admission: FREE! Gates open at 7:30 AM
PRIZE DRAWINGS START AT 11:00 AM!
Don’t miss the Grand Prize Drawing for the Anytone 578UVIII PLUS Tri-Band Mobile Radio—complete with a training course!
$2 Raffle Prizes Include:
Dakota Lithium Powerbox 10 with 12V Battery
Alinco DM-530T Digital Power Supply
MFJ-1116 DC Multiple Outlet Panel
Lacrosse Weather Station
MFJ-1976 10ft Stainless Steel Telescoping Whip Antenna
Jetstream 45A Power Pole (20 Pairs, 10–14 Gauge)
Jetstream JTSP-10 External Speaker
ER SD-203 Temperature-Controlled Soldering Station
ARRL Gift Certificates (multiple!)
And so much more!
Raffle Ticket Donations:
$2 per ticket or 6 tickets for $10
Winners need not be present to claim prizes.
Grand Prize Details:
Anytone 578UVIII PLUS Tri-Band Mobile Radio
Only 50 tickets available for the Grand Prize at $20 each!
Features include:
Full Duplex: UU, UV, VV, VU operation with dual RX (Analog + DMR or Analog + Analog).
Powerful Output: VHF (50W/25W/10W) & UHF (45W/25W/10W).
Massive Storage: 4,000 channels, 10,000 talk groups, 500,000 digital contacts.
True-2-slot Technology: ETSI DMR Tier I & II compliant.
Enhanced Display & Functionality: 1.77” color LCD, crossband repeater, GPS ranging, roaming, and more!
You don’t need to be present to win the Grand Prize!
Mark Your Calendars and Join the Fun!
Click the flyer for more details. We can’t wait to see you at this exciting event!
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."