• New Ham Development and Training:  We conduct new radio amateur licensing training, and classes and workshops to assist current hams to advance in the hobby. We work with schools, non-profits, and community organizations to recruit, train, and organize amateur radio activities.  
  
  
• Public Relations:  We are active in the Greater Federal Way area, with events and advertising in local publications and media. We have had several city officials and community leaders recognize us, including visiting us at our Field Day events.  
  
  
• Emergency Communications:  The FWARC includes the emergency Communications Response Team, which supports the Greater Federal Way Emergency Response Program, covering the City of Federal Way, as well as areas of unincorporated King County which are served by the City government, schools, and utilities, and a section of the city of Tacoma WA which is likely to be geographically isolated from Tacoma proper in an emergency.  The ECRT actively support the GFWEMP by operating the Radio Room in the EOC and is currently assisting the with equipping two vehicles for mobile EmComm.  The ECRT also participates in the State of Washington's "Fifth Saturday" EOC-to-EOC drills, often by conducting a related drill for club members, and the GFWEMP's Community Emergency Response Teams.  
  
  
• Technical Advancement:  The FWARC operates seven repeaters, including four D-STAR repeaters; FWARC's Reflector 35 is one of the major D-STAR repeaters in the Pacific Northwest, hosting very active nets. We have held several training sessions on D-STAR in general.  
  We are actively encouraging hams to use Winlink for communications and have conducted training ion this as well.  
  We have also conducted classes on use of the "NanoVNA", and antenna building classes.  
  
  
• Operating Activities:  Monthly meetings, and monthly ECRT meetings.  Weekly net, usually on one of the repeaters, but we have also conducted nets using simplex, to establish "hearability."  
  Field Day, held at one of the local parks.  We use an Incident Command model for organization, including a full Event Action Plan.
  State "Fifth Saturday" EOC-to-EOC drills.  We have also used these to establish cooperation and coordination with the City's CERT program, which several of us are also members of.  Support for local "Miles for Mesothelioma" 5K Fun Run.  
  
  
• Miscellaneous Activities:  D-Star Repeater maintenance.  EmComm Support for Support for local "Miles for Mesothelioma" 10k Fun Run.
  
  

ARRL Affiliation

The Federal Way Amateur Radio Club has been affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) since July 22, 1999.  The club was established at the request of the City of Federal Way to provide emergency communications support to the city and surrounding communities during emergencies or disasters.  The club holds in-person general meetings on the second Thursday of each month, an Emergency Communications (EmComm) meeting on the third Thursday, and a monthly club breakfast on the fourth Saturday.   Attendance at these events is open to all—club membership and an amateur radio license are not required.  Anyone with an interest in amateur radio is welcome to attend.  All will be welcomed!

Being an ARRL affiliated club offers valuable benefits that strengthen both the organization and its members.  Affiliation provides access to ARRL resources such as training materials, technical information, and club development support, helping clubs grow and operate more effectively.  Affiliated clubs gain greater visibility and credibility within the amateur radio community, along with opportunities to participate in ARRL-sponsored programs, contests, and public service initiatives.  Additionally, affiliation fosters connection with a nationwide network of amateur radio operators, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy for amateur radio at local and national levels.

ARRL Affiliated Club Information of the FWARC

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