"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 ARC Hamfest 2025 is almost here! Mark your calendars for the morning of February 8, 2025, and join us for an exciting event. A limited number of tables are available for vendors and Hams, so act fast—submit your request today! We’ll do our best to accommodate everyone and will notify you once your request has been processed.
As of now, only 15 tables remain, so reserve yours today!
For more details or to secure your spot, contact us via email. Additional information about the Rio ARC Hamfest can also be found in the flyer below. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you're interested in becoming a licensed amateur radio operator, we will be hosting an exam session during the Rio ARC Hamfest. The session begins promptly at 10:30 AM. The exam fee, set by the Volunteer Exam Coordinator, is $15.00 or $5.00 for applicants under 18 years of age.
Before taking the exam, you must obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN). You can complete this requirement by visiting CORES Registration and the FCC Registration Page.
Additionally, you’ll need to bring a valid legal ID. If a photo ID is unavailable or a minor who does not currently have a legal photo ID, please visit the ARRL for more information.
Good Luck to each examinee.
The Alliance Amateur Radio Club proudly sponsors Winter Field Day, an exciting annual event for amateur radio enthusiasts, held on the last full weekend of January. This event provides a unique chance for operators to set up field stations in remote locations and connect with participants worldwide. Whether you participate solo or bring along friends, family, or your entire club, Winter Field Day offers something for everyone.
Organized by the Winter Field Day Association, the event highlights the importance of practicing portable emergency communications in challenging winter conditions. Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards create unique operational challenges, making it a valuable learning experience for amateur radio operators.
In South Texas, we may not face harsh winter weather, but our region has its own obstacles, like strong winds and rain (or even mosquitoes). Regardless of the conditions, join us at Dixieland Park in Harlingen on January 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM local time until at least 5:00 PM. Come see the Rio Amateur Radio Club in action, making contacts across the U.S. and around the globe!
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 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:
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 Winter Field Day January 25, 2025. 10:00am Local until at least 5:00pm. Just look for the Rio ARC Banner. Public is welcome to visit.
Dixieland Park, 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."