Introduction
Radio clubs are the life-blood of the Amateur Radio community. Joining a local club is the best way to get licensed and on the air, and then learn more about the wide range of interests that define Amateur Radio in 2023. Local clubs can provide hands-on mentoring and community support for your radio projects. Local clubs can help us find other hams with similar interests or get connected with those who can help with a technical issue. Attending club meetings can complement our on-air relationships and offer a valuable social component to our lives. Daily or weekly nets are there for you to participate in, no matter where you are.
There are currently twelve ARRL affiliated clubs active in Rhode Island and, based on latest information, five of the general interest clubs currently have over 25 RI club members.
Many RI hams are surprised to hear this and curious to learn more about the wider community of hams and active clubs in our small state. This new website is one way RI radio clubs can let more hams know what your club is doing, share information, and encourage outreach to all of the roughly 1900 licensed Amateur Radio operators in Rhode Island. [The actual number of RI hams is 1913 as of June 28, 2023. This puts RI in-between Delaware with 1807 hams and South Dakota (2105) and Vermont (2106).]
As it is, a number of RI hams already belong to more than one club, and better communication about what each club is like will only strengthen the overall radio ecosystem.
If you are a club president or officer, July 2023 is a good time to check in and update your club information on the ARRL website club search database: https://www.arrl.org/find-a-club.
During this leadership transition, please reach out to the new Section Manager with news updates, photos, and suggestions from your club to add on this website and get reflected across ARRL. Feel free to include links to your own club website.
Please visit the Club News tab and contribute: https://ri-arrl.org/club-news/
Please send to: Nancy Austin, RI Section Manager, [email protected].
ARRL Affiliated Clubs in Rhode Island
Smaller Clubs with up to 25 Members (July 1, 2023)
- Brown University Radio Club (K1AD)
- Narragansett Bay Amateur Radio Club (NB1RI)
- Ocean State Amateur Radio Group (K1OS)
- Providence Emergency Management Agency Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (PEMA RACES) (KK1PMA)
- RICOMU (WA1USA)
Larger Clubs with over 25 Members (July 1, 2023)
- Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (W1AQ)
- Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (W1DDD)
- Fidelity Amateur Radio Club (K1NQG)
- Newport County Radio Club (W1SYE)
- The Providence Radio Association (W1OP)
Regional Special Interest Clubs
Special Service Clubs
Special Service Clubs must meet the highest standards of Amateur Radio in areas such as: new ham development and training; public relations; emergency communications; school club support; technical advancement; operating activities; annual reports.
Exceptional clubs who qualify for Special Service Club status receive the following additional benefits:
- Special recognition in QST as they renew or become SSCs
- Eligibility to appoint local Awards Managers
A club’s standing as a Special Service Club lasts for two years and can be renewed by application to the Affiliated Club Coordinator.
2023 Rhode Island Special Service Clubs
Benefits of ARRL Affiliation
Affiliating your local club with the ARRL affords you many advantages. To learn more about becoming an ARRL Affiliated Club, see the Active Club Primer.
Referrals of Prospective Radio Amateurs
Your club will be listed in ARRLWeb‘s club search database: https://www.arrl.org/find-a-club
League Headquarters, in addition to providing a basic package of information to a prospective ham, will refer prospects to your club for follow-up and recruitment.
Mailing Lists
You can obtain mailing lists and printed stickers of individuals who are licensed in your area.
E-mail Forwarding Service
E-mail forwarding service is now available for ARRL affiliated clubs: Effective immediately, clubs affiliated with the ARRL can sign up for the League’s new E-Mail Forwarding Service. The forwarding–or alias–service is available at no additional charge for ARRL affiliated clubs.
Club Commission Program
ARRL Affiliated Clubs receive a commission for every new ARRL membership and renewal they submit to ARRL Headquarters. Clubs retain a portion of the dues for each regular membership submitted to ARRL Headquarters.
ARRL Club Liability Insurance Plan
This comprehensive general liability policy provides coverage for lawsuits resulting from bodily injury and property damage at ARRL Affiliated Club-sponsored activities. This includes concession stands, dances, banquets, parties, auctions, raffles, picnics and meetings, to name just a few.
Ham Radio Equipment Insurance Program
No matter where you live, you could end up in the middle of a natural disaster. You may not be able to salvage what you had, but with the ARRL Ham Radio Equipment Insurance Plan you can get the help you need to get back on the air. Insurance is available to protect you from loss or damage to your amateur station, antennas and mobile equipment by lightning, theft, accident, fire, flood, tornado and other natural disasters.
Your scheduled mobile and home station equipment is covered on an all risk form which includes fire, lightning, wind, theft, collision, and other accidents and natural hazards. Loss or damage to antennas, towers or rotators are also covered. Coverage can be extended for computer software and hardware you have scheduled including related accessories.
Library Book Set
This book set includes popular ARRL publications, intended for clubs or individuals that wish to make a gift to a local library or school. Only complete sets of these publications are available at the special price of $200 per set. Price includes UPS ground shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states, only. Call for other shipping options. Editions sent will be those available at the time the order is received. Publications and prices are subject to change without notice. This special offer applies only to orders purchased directly from ARRL.
Annual Report
Every ARRL club is eligible to receive a complimentary copy of the League’s Annual Report, which contains the business reports of the staff and Directors.
Club Callsign
The ARRL can assist your affiliated club with station license application and filing procedures.
Club Gavel Competition
Only affiliated clubs are eligible for participation in the gavel competitions of the ARRL DX Contest, the ARRL November Sweepstakes, the ARRL VHF Sweepstakes and the 160- and 10-Meter Contests. For more information, see the Club Competition Rules.
QST Club Ads Discount
Your affiliated club may purchase advertising in QST at half of the going rate. Contact the ARRL Advertising Department for more information [email protected].
Hamfest and Convention Affiliation
Your club hamfest or convention can be listed in the ARRL Hamfest Database.
Rhode Island Clubs of Yesteryear
Like people, radio clubs are born and eventually pass on into memory. It is only fitting that we take a moment to honor these Rhode Island clubs of yesteryear that have enriched our lives. Who wants to contribute a recollection about a former RI radio club from years gone by?
See Also
Rhode Island radio club speakers list