Our next meeting will be on October 2, 2025 at the Boerne Library. Check out our meetings page for more details.
Are you a newly licensed ham or want to become one? Join us at our monthly meeting for tips and tricks on everything from antennas, radio usage, digital modes and technical presentations.
Call to ActionThe ARRL is focused on reducing legal restraints on the ability of American Amateur Radio Operators to engage in the active practice and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.
One of the most insidious and increasing threats to the survival of Amateur Radio and our ability to serve our communities and Nation, as we are required to do by Federal regulation, is the proliferation of private land use restrictions that prohibit the installation of outdoor antennas and that sometimes actually deny Federally licensed Amateurs from operating any amateur radios, regardless of where their antennas are located — in their attics, hidden in trees, or mounted on their vehicles. Federal law — since 1996 — has guaranteed to every American — except Amateur Radio Operators — the right to erect antennas outside or on their residences for the purpose of TV reception, satellite TV and internet access, wireless internet access, and even wireless internet redistribution. But Amateur Radio operators are denied the equal right to erect comparable antennas.
Since 2005, Federal law has also guaranteed to every American the right to proudly display the American Flag by installing flagpoles in their yards. But, despite that right to install vertical poles in their yards — American Radio Amateurs are denied the right to use those vertical flagpoles as vertical antennas.
We believe the denial — to licensed Amateur Radio Operators — of the rights guaranteed to all non-Amateur Radio licensed American homeowners — the right to install antennas on the land they own — is without justification and should not be permitted to continue.
To eliminate these private land use restrictions, the ARRL has worked over the past several years with our elected officials to draft Congressional legislation — H.R. 1094 in the U.S. House of Representatives and S. 459 in the U.S. Senate — that, when passed will extend to all Hams the right to operate from their homes and the right to install antennas on the land they own. We have bipartisan support for this legislation.
BUT, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PASS THIS LEGISLATION!!!
How can you help? By sending a letter to your Representative and Senators asking that they co-sponsor and support H.R. 1094 and S. 459.
How can you send these letters? It is easy.
Go to — https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/ — enter your call sign and click on “Send My Letters” and your letters will be delivered to our Washington legislative team for hand delivery to your Representative and Senators.
Does your individual letter matter? YES.
Your Representative and Senators need to know that the passage of this legislation is important to you.
Your letter could be the difference in whether we are able to pass H.R. 1094 and S. 459.
September 10-12, Jesse (W1BBT) and Jerry (N5SGM) had their first DX POTA activation at US-3020 Inks Lake State Park. Jesse was able
to make the top 5 activator list with 303 contacts, and Jerry was on fire with CW. On the way back home, they stoped as US-3034 Longhorn Cavern State Park
for a quick activation. Stay tuned for the next park these two will be headed to. Pictures
On Sept 2, 2025, Mark Chapman KJ5CBL, was invited by the Austin Police Department Emergency Management Office to attend a demonstration of a new early warning device that is designed to save lives during a catastrophic flooding event. Much like that of July 4, 2025 in Kerr, Hunt and Kendall counties.
The demonstration was held at Camp La Junta and Camp Vista in Hunt County. Two of these devices were donated by a company from Austin, River Sentry. The company is an upstart in response to the devastating floods we recently experienced. The technology behind these devices utilizes Meshtastic devices to transmit information using LoRA radios to other devices in the area as well as web based applications which would be located out of the flood area.
The devices activate within 7 seconds of a potential flood condition and activate a 130 decibel siren and warning light as long as the condition exists. The units are powered by a lithium battery that will continually alert for approximately 45 minutes. (See attached video) (warning loud!)
River Sentry donated two of these devices to Camp La Junta and Camp Vista on September 3, 2025. In an effort to help these facilities comply with the new state rules regarding emergency flood notification at camps such as these. Current prices are approximately $4500 per unit, depending on options.
These units will also be available to individual land owners who might be interested in purchasing one.
Be sure to check in next Tuesday at 7pm on the 146.64mhz repeater. We now have a live net monitor that updates in realtime as the net progresses. Check it on our net information page.
The San Antonio Radio Club will be hosting their annual tailgate event September 27 from 8am to 1pm at the Encino Branch Library, located at
2515 E. Evans Rd, San Antonio, TX 78259. Additional information can be found at their website.
Several members of KARS are members or working on becoming members of the DX-100 club (Confirmed QSO with over 100 countries) There are several DX expeditions that setup temporarily in remote locations in order to obtain QSOs with sometimes uninhabited islands or other locations that normally have no radio operators. Below is a calendar of of planned expeditions from DX News.
Listed here are links to contests that are currently in progress or will start within the next 7 days. These links are provided via an RSS Feed from the WA7BNM Contest Calendar. KARS is participating in contests that are in bold with blue backgroud.
KARS members have a history of providing assistance to Kendall County EMS, Boerne Police and Kendall County Sheriff's Office along with other organizations local to Kendall County.
Every Tuesday at 7:00pm the KB5TX 146.640mhz repeater hosts the Kendall County 2 Meter Net. All amateur radio operators are invited to join in net activities.
We have 18 Volunteer Examiners capable of testing for technician all the way to extra class. Check out our testing schedule for new licenses and upgrades.