GVARC News!
Repeater Move Update: NBU Site Visit Completed, Awaiting Electrical Work
As of August 2, 2025, GVARC has completed a joint site visit with NBU staff to review the new repeater equipment location. Mike (WQ5C) reports that initial tests showed that both UHF and VHF SWR readings at the site are acceptable.
The final piece blocking progress is the installation of a dedicated electrical outlet and ground wire for GVARC’s equipment. NBU staff had earlier indicated they “would take care of it,” but the timeline and scope of that commitment are unclear at this time. This step is critical, as the team cannot move forward with installation until power is available.
Once power and ground are in place, and equipment racks are installed, the move itself is expected to require three people with pickup trucks and will be scheduled for an afternoon. The goal is to complete the relocation quickly, with all work wrapped up well before the current tower is dismantled.
“We’re ready to move as soon as NBU finishes the electrical work. Everything else is lined up—we just need the green light.”
— Mike, WQ5C
Stay tuned for further updates and potential volunteer needs once a move date is confirmed.
Repeater Move Update – Climber Scheduled, Installation Starts July 16
The long-anticipated move of the GVARC repeater is now entering its final phase.
As of July 12, 2025, Mike (WQ5C) reports that the climbing crew is officially scheduled to begin antenna and feedline installation on Wednesday, July 16. The work is expected to take two days, though time has been blocked out through Friday, July 18 just in case.
Once this work is complete, the club will have until approximately October to finish preparing the new space and complete the equipment move from the current site.
This milestone follows other major achievements:
- The club secured a formal lease agreement with NBU: 20 years total (four renewable 5-year terms).
- NBU accepted the club’s ARRL liability policy, a favorable outcome over NBU’s original requirement.
- All key hardware (antennas, Heliax feedline, duplexer, cabinet, rack, and jumpers) is already staged and ready for deployment.
Mike will provide further details at the quarterly club meeting this Saturday, July 19.
“We’re in the home stretch. The climbers are booked, and once the antennas go up, the rest follows quickly.”
— Mike, WQ5C
Stay tuned for the next update and any volunteer needs as the installation date approaches.
2025 Field Day Recap
GVARC’s 2025 ARRL Field Day was a huge success, showing major improvements over last year’s performance! Operating under the club call sign K5C, members racked up 580 QSOs, a jump from last year’s 423. That boost was largely thanks to the persistence of KA0ZRW, N5ZR, and a dedicated group of robotics students who stayed late into the evening.
This year’s station class was 2E, with 15 participants operating under generator and battery power, earning us a 2x power multiplier. Bonus points were awarded for 100% emergency power, youth participation, and web-based submission—totaling 290 bonus points. Our preliminary score came in at an impressive 1,976.
But beyond the numbers, the best part of Field Day was the camaraderie. As Dwight K5UH put it:
“Having the group together where you see and hear everyone was the best.”
Special thanks go out to Mike WQ5C and his wife for hosting the event once again—your hospitality made it feel like a family gathering.
Photos and soapbox comments can be uploaded via [this ARRL link] (https://contests.arrl.org/contestsoapbox.php?call=k5c&id=28gwdzzx).
73 to all who made it happen!
January 2019 Testing Date
To avoid any conflict with the San Antonio Radio Club Radio Fiesta, GVARC has adjusted the first quarter testing session to 19-January-2019.
Testing will be held at the New Braunfels Fire Department Training Facility located at 424 S. Castell Ave. in scenic downtown New Braunfels.
Identification requirements, expenses, directions, and times can be found on the testing page.
We hope to see you there!
73!
2018 Testing Dates
We’ve got great news for all you hams-to-be and license upgraders!
GVARC has once again secured the facilities and set the dates for our 2018 Amateur Radio License Testing schedule.
The dates for this year are:
- 14-April-2018
- 14-July-2018
- 13-October-2018
- 12-January-2019
Testing will be held at the New Braunfels Fire Department Training Facility located at 424 S. Castell Ave. in scenic downtown New Braunfels.
Identification requirements, expenses, directions, and times can be perused on the testing page.
We hope to see you there!
73!