The local interest in amateur radio has greatly increased after Hurricane Michael. The Panama City Amateur Radio Club is working with the City of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College, and Gulf Coast Medical Center to increase our local capability to maintain communications after a disaster. A local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group works with the Bay County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
The City of Panama City has repaired the hurricane damage to the PCARC clubhouse and it has reopened. There are meetings at the clubhouse at 130 N. Church Ave, Panama City on Wednesdays at 7 PM. License tests are given on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 PM You can contact the club at panamacityarc@gmail.com. Our club president is Bob Leasko. His callsign is WB8PAF.
Amateur radio is a outstanding hobby for all ages as well as a help for emergencies. A license from the FCC is required to transmit on amateur frequencies. Amateur Radio license classes at GCSC will be announced soon.
The national organization for amateur radio is the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL). Visit this link for an introduction to amateur radio.
