Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville Welcomes You!
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RACK Meetings are every 3rd Thursday of the month at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church at 7pm
The Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville (RACK) was founded in 1954 as a way
of promoting the interest of amateur radio operators in the Knoxville Tennessee area.
Join us for Field Day
Field Day 2025
Field Day 2025
Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville
Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville
Ham radio operators (FCC licensed Amateur radio operators) will gear-up to pursue long distance High Frequency (Shortwave) radio contacts and practice emergency communication skills at the top of Fort Dickerson City Park, June 28-29, 2025.
Knoxville area Hams will work around the clock to set up multiple field radio communication stations, get on the air, and attempt to contact other Ham radio operators as part of the annual American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) Field Day event.
Paul James of the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville (RACK) says, Field Day is the annual “shakedown run” for the ARRL’s National Field Organization. “Field Day is a way for Hams to get outdoors and have fun under some difficult operating conditions,” Paul says. “But it is also a chance to fine-tune emergency communication skills. We use a variety of amateur radio transceivers, portable generators, solar, and battery power. We also enjoy using different portable field antennas. The idea is to put together self-sufficient communication radio stations quickly and begin making radio contacts.”
The ARRL Field Organization has been effective in establishing emergency communications radio frequency networks during floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and other major disasters. Members of formal emergency organizations such as the Middle East Tennessee Emergency Radio Service, Inc. (METERS) regularly participate with RACK during this event. The League estimates that more than 35,000 Hams from across North America take part in Field Day. This event has taken place every year since 1933.
The RACK Field Day site is located in south Knoxville at Fort Dickerson Park (3000 Fort Dickerson Rd SW, Knoxville, TN). Set up begins at about 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday June 28, 2025. The operational period is from Saturday 2:00 p.m. to Sunday 2:00 p.m.
The public is invited. Come and observe, ask questions. You do not need to be a licensed ham radio operator to join in. We will have some radios there. Paul James is coordinating all radio activities.
For additional information contact:
Paul James
11635 Black Rd., Knoxville, TN 37932
(703) 201-3441, kichroc@gmail.com
June 2025: Recent Happenings & Updates
June 2025: Recent Happenings & Updates
June RACK Meeting
Thursday evening we will much discussion of our upcoming Knoxville Hamfest. June 21st
Paul has more details for Field day. It is June 21st, the weekend after our Hamfest.
Field Day 2025
Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville
Ham radio operators (FCC licensed Amateur radio operators) will gear-up to pursue long distance High Frequency (Shortwave) radio contacts and practice emergency communication skills at the top of Fort Dickerson City Park, June 28-29, 2025.
Knoxville area Hams will work around the clock to set up multiple field radio communication stations, get on the air, and attempt to contact other Ham radio operators as part of the annual American Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) Field Day event.
Paul has a media posting here that he is using to promote field day RACK Field Days
Thursday RACK meeting
WHEN:
Thursday, June 13, 2025, at 7pm
WHERE:
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church
701 Merchants Dr.
Knoxville TN 37912
View a Google Map here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SxPpQii2wPuxZcv16
Directions once you arrive at the church: Drive around to the back parking lot and enter through the glass door. Walk straight ahead, up a ramp, then take the elevator up the 2nd floor. Exit, listen for a noisy group. That will be us.
Renew Your RACK Membership for 2025
It's not too late to renew your RACK membership or join as a new member!
Please use this link: Renew Your RACK Membership Info
Calendar of Events
Click here to view our calendar of events for 2025 and beyond: News/Calendar page
Classes for Technician Amateur Radio license
Technician License Class – Sign Up Today!
Interested in getting your ham radio license? Join the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville for a free, in-person Technician License Class starting May 13, 2025, at the American Red Cross building in Knoxville.
Class Schedule:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 6921 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN
Required Book: ARRL Technician License Manual (5th Edition) – $25
Book must be purchased during registration
May 13 (Tue) Introduction to Ham Radio & Licensing Process
May 15 (Thu) Basic Radio Concepts & How Radios Work
May 20 (Tue) Radio Waves, Propagation & Antennas
May 22 (Thu) Electrical Principles, Components & Ohm’s Law
May 27 (Tue) NO CLASS – Room Unavailable
May 29 (Thu) Operating Procedures & Making Contacts
June 3 (Tue) Basic Electronics & Circuits
June 5 (Thu) Repeaters, Digital Modes, & RF Safety
June 10 (Tue) Rules, Regulations, & Band Plan
June 12 (Thu) Review & Practice Exam #1
June 17 (Tue) Hands-On Demonstrations & Q&A
June 19 (Thu) Final Review, Wrap-Up & Exam Instructions
June 21 (Sat) FCC Technician License Exam (1 PM)
Final Exam:
June 21, 2025 @ 1:00 PM at the RACK Hamfest
To register, visit:
use the Donate button link below to pay $25 for the book,
then Email KO4JJU@gmail.com with:
Name,
address,
and good contact phone number,
and I will get back with you.
Seats are limited and registration is only complete once book payment is received. Don’t miss this opportunity to get on the air and join the world of amateur radio!
Archive of 2025: Happenings & Updates
Archive of 2025: Happenings & Updates
May 2025
Our May RACK Meeting
Thursday evening we had much discussion of our upcoming Knoxville Hamfest. Its only about a month away.
Also Paul has more details for Field day. It is the weekend after our Hamfest.
Also we try to have a gift certificate to give away every couple of months. You must be present to qualify for it.
Larry Franklin, KC4ZOA is the winner for May!! $100 gift certificate
Also, Steven is leading a group of RACK members teaching a 'technician' level class. It has started. Talk to him about it Thursday night. Would you like for RACK to have a class for General?
Thursday RACK meeting
WHEN:
Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7pm
WHERE:
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church
701 Merchants Dr.
Knoxville TN 37912
April 2025
Our next RACK meeting
For our program this month, Steven,KO4JJU, and Will, KO4WIL, have an introduction to AllStarLink. This is a network of Amateur Radio repeaters, remote base stations and hot spots accessible to each other via Voice over Internet Protocol with over 38,000 ham radio users. Steven and Will always provide programs on interesting subjects, some that may not be common for all of us. So this will be a good opportunity.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 7pm
WHERE:
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church
701 Merchants Dr.
Knoxville TN 37912
MARCH 2025
Our next RACK meeting
WHEN:
Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7pm
WHERE:
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church
701 Merchants Dr.
Knoxville TN 37912
FEBRUARY 2025
It is with a heavy heart, that I must inform all members of the Radio Amateurs Club of Knoxville, that as of 2-25-2025, Mr. Willard Sitton W4HZD, has become a silent key operator, and that the Amateur Radio community, as well as the world, itself has suffered an unimaginable loss, of such a wonderfully outstanding, and very loved, amazing individual.
Mr. Willard, we will miss your delightful presence, severely.
73,Sir.
KO4JLK
F. Kittrell
R.A.C.K. President
The obituary is at
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/knoxville-tn/willard-sitton-12263043
Our next RACK meeting
WHEN:
Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7pm
WHERE:
Wallace Memorial Baptist Church
701 Merchants Dr.
Knoxville TN 37912
Renew Your RACK Membership for 2025
It's not too late to renew your RACK membership or join as a new member!
Please use this link: Renew Your RACK Membership Info
JANUARY 2025
Renew Your RACK Membership for 2025
It is time to join RACK or renew your membership for 2025. Please use this link: Renew Your RACK Membership Info
Check out all the new items for sale in January 2025!
Letter from RACK President
Good morning,operators!
Today is Monday December,30th…as you all know,this evening,@2100,the RACK Tech Net,will take place.Would anyone like to volunteer to serve as “Net Control”,for this historic weekly event? It is my belief,that full participation in any organizational event,tends to only enrich the organization,as well as act as a catalyst to other beneficial effects,too! …let’s all make the upcoming year (2025) a great success,
Thank you,All!
Best regards,
KO4JLK
Read past Letters from RACK Presidents here.
Recap of our 2024 Events
Join or update your membership to RACK
New RACK History Documents!
View the 1972 RACK HISTORY AND MEMBER LIST below:
1972 RACK CLUB INFO.pdf1972 RACK MEMBERS.pdfDonate to RACK!
If you would like to make a donation to RACK, click on the PayPal® link shown below. It's safe, secure, and tax deductible!
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