The Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club

The Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club supports the community with back up communications in case of an emergency. We work closely with the EOC. and 25th Ave.

Some History of VBARC

The Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club was formed on November 1st, 1961 with just a handful of local hams. From there it has continued to grow and includes all of Indian River County. From the beginning the club has worked with the Office of Civil Defense, to assist the local government in emergency situations. That mission continues to this day with our work for the Emergency Ma

nagement Division of Indian River County and the Red Cross. In 1965 the club received a letter of thanks from the 82nd Airborne Division for the clubs assistance for providing Emergency Communications between the Dominican Republic and various groups in Florida during the Dominican disaster. VBARC has also been instrumental in providing communications during many natural disasters, including Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005. W4OT Call Sign History

The Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club has had the W4OT call for over 40 years. According to the Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club minutes of 1963, one of the active members was Harold Sever, W4OT, along with Tom Moyer, W4KEE and Graham Lowe, K4EL. During that year there were 31 active members on the roster. 1963 was also the year that Tom, W4KEE was selected to be trustee of the club station and obtained a station license for the club. During those years the trustee used his or her own call. The records are a bit sketchy here, but we do know that Harold Sever became a SK in March of 1965. In 1970 the club’s license was up for renewal and it was decided to request a 1 X 2 call. The minutes also showed that Graham Lowe volunteered to become the trustee. The W4OT call was obtained in memory of Harold and thus VBARC had an official call sign. Graham was the trustee for about two cycles of license renewal (at that time the license period was 4 years.) In October of 1973 the club received permission to relocate its station location from a house in a grove (a story for another time) to the Red Cross Building on 17th St. It was a unique combination, for emergency communication, and to work hand in hand with the Red Cross. Our station equipment was secured from unauthorized use inside a locked box. At a meeting in 1975, Ike Roach, K4QM, the “Quiet Man” as he was known, volunteered to become the trustee. He renewed the license and was trustee for two 4 year periods. John Larabell, KF4BN, was the trustee from about 1983 through 1988 (John was Eric, KF4UJO’s dad.) John was vice president in 1991 and president of the club in 1992 while Eric, (then KB4BYP) was Treasurer. In 1988 Richard Jackson, AB4AZ became the trustee and renewed the club license. He remains the club trustee today.

Ham Ops in your HOA !?! Want to support legislation for HAM operation at all homes? It's easy, click the link below to ...
05/31/2026

Ham Ops in your HOA !?! Want to support legislation for HAM operation at all homes? It's easy, click the link below to send an email to your Reps and Senators:
https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/

Our club operated at the Navy Seal Museum. The Bands cooperated with our beam and tower. Thanks to all that attended.
05/23/2026

Our club operated at the Navy Seal Museum. The Bands cooperated with our beam and tower. Thanks to all that attended.

The club will be honoring and remembering Memorial Day at the Navy Seal Museum on Saturday, May 23, from ~8 am to noon. ...
05/19/2026

The club will be honoring and remembering Memorial Day at the Navy Seal Museum on Saturday, May 23, from ~8 am to noon. We’ll have both trailers. Feel free to bring your own rig or use the club radios. Don’t forget chairs and shade. Eric will have cookies and drinks. Google map link:

3300 N Hwy A1A, Fort Pierce, FL 34949

President Chris awarded Eric a lifetime membership to recognize all his contributions to the club. Congrats Eric.
05/15/2026

President Chris awarded Eric a lifetime membership to recognize all his contributions to the club. Congrats Eric.

Ham Radio Club enjoyed our spot at the Disaster Preparedness Expo at the Jackie Robinson sports complex. Thanks to Gary ...
05/02/2026

Ham Radio Club enjoyed our spot at the Disaster Preparedness Expo at the Jackie Robinson sports complex. Thanks to Gary for the pictures.

Dear Facebook followers,President Chris has asked us to help a dear ham friend in need. Chris has established a Go Fund ...
04/24/2026

Dear Facebook followers,

President Chris has asked us to help a dear ham friend in need. Chris has established a Go Fund Me page. Below is the link, we hope you can help. Thank You !!

Ralph Francavilla N2BMn is a fellow Ham radio operator and a dear friend who ha… Ethan Prewitt needs your support for Help Ralph Recover from Financial Crisis

QRP was at Charles Park today. Nice place, plenty of shade and pavilions. Bob was happy to try his new radio. Thanks to ...
04/11/2026

QRP was at Charles Park today. Nice place, plenty of shade and pavilions. Bob was happy to try his new radio. Thanks to Steve for the pictures.

04/03/2026

Snippets of interviews in which celebrities discuss their opinions on ham radio.

Our ham club, VBARC will have a Special Ham Operations Event at Pelican Island to celebrate 123 years as the America's f...
03/03/2026

Our ham club, VBARC will have a Special Ham Operations Event at Pelican Island to celebrate 123 years as the America's first National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). See the details in the pictures below. We'll start around 8-9 AM.

Address

4225 43rd Avenue
Vero Beach, FL
32967

Website

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