W0ENO
Longmont Amateur Radio Club — Our History
Over seven decades of public service, community camaraderie, and a passion for amateur radio in the heart of Colorado’s Front Range.
📅 Serving Since 1952
📡 ARRL Affiliated
🏔️ Longmont, Colorado
🛡️ BCARES Member
The Longmont Amateur Radio Club (LARC), operating under the club callsign
W0ENO, has been a cornerstone of amateur radio in Boulder County since
the early 1950s. From informal gatherings at a local bowling alley to a thriving club of
150–200 members, LARC has grown alongside the city of Longmont — supporting emergency
communications, licensing thousands of new amateur operators, and connecting local hams
to stations on every continent.
1952
Club Founded
150–200
Active Members
70+
Years of Service
2
Linked Repeaters
40+
Annual LARCFest Events
🎯
Our Mission
To promote, support, and lead amateur radio activities in a manner that honors and exemplifies the Radio Amateur’s Code, builds camaraderie within our membership, and serves our community’s needs.
— LARC Mission Statement, W0ENO
📜
Historical Timeline
1930s
Roots in the Front Range
Amateur radio activity in the Longmont area dates to the 1930s. A 2001 article by
Lee Oliver (W9ZIY), found in the Longmont Museum archives, describes farm life and
amateur radio around Hygiene, Colorado during this era — one of the earliest records
of local ham activity. Jim Goss (W0ZIX) of Hygiene received his first amateur license
in 1937 and remained an active presence in the community for decades.
Mid-1940s – 1955
The First Longmont Amateur Radio Club
An early club existed in Longmont from the mid-1940s until approximately 1955,
with members gathering informally and experimenting with the technology of the day.
This first formal club chapter, with Glen Hart as president and Ken Hugo as
vice-president, began around 1952. Charter members included
Eugene and Dorothy Baldwin, Charles Cottrell, James Goss, and Jack and Maylo Scheffer.
Club meetings were held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
1969
Re-Founding of the Modern LARC
After a hiatus, local ham enthusiasts began gathering informally again in the
meeting room at Longmont Lanes. Ray Parnaby (K0AP)
spearheaded the effort to formally re-establish the club. LARC was incorporated
in late 1969 with the assistance of attorney Jeremy Cross. The inaugural officers
were President Ray Parnaby (K0AP) and Vice-President Bob Stanley. By-laws were
adopted and initial dues were set — a new chapter had begun.
Early 1970s
Repeater Infrastructure & Community Presence
In the early 1970s, club members Chris Miller and Frank Duff (W0ENO) relocated
the club repeater from Frank’s basement to a new tower mounted on the Longmont
water tank near Skyline High School — a key step in building reliable repeater
coverage for the region. LARC also began participating in the Boulder County
Fair Parade and other civic events, establishing its public-service presence.
1976
Emergency Service: Big Thompson Flood
LARC members provided vital emergency communications support during the devastating
Big Thompson Canyon flood of 1976 — one of Colorado’s worst natural disasters.
Club members also assisted with communications during fires north of Boulder Canyon
that summer. These events cemented LARC’s role as a critical resource for
Boulder County emergency management.
1978
Repeater on the Water Tank & BCARES Founded
Bill Currie (WD0EHJ) discovered a new Longmont water tank under construction on
East Mountain View and the club pursued it as a repeater site. After presentations
to the City Council, verbal permission was granted by City Manager Roy Howard.
A 20-foot Rohn25G tower and antenna were erected at the top — a landmark moment
for LARC’s repeater program.
That same year, BCARES (Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Service) was formally organized, with LARC playing a founding role in the regional emergency communications network.
That same year, BCARES (Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Service) was formally organized, with LARC playing a founding role in the regional emergency communications network.
1984
LARCFest — Annual Hamfest Begins
The first LARCFest was held in 1984, establishing what would become
one of the Front Range’s most beloved annual amateur radio swap meets and vendor events.
Running every April at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, LARCFest has attracted thousands
of ham operators over its 40-year run and serves as LARC’s signature public event.
1990s
Growth, Licensing & Community Partnerships
- Membership surged to 242 members by 1998 — a club record
- CTCSS tones implemented on repeaters for improved coordination
- Earle Cate (N0ISB) licensed 50 new hams at a single LARCFest event
- Career Development Center classes for Technician, Novice, and General licenses
- MOU signed between LARC, BCARES, and Red Cross for emergency communications
- “The Splatter” newsletter published regularly and distributed to members statewide
- Club stations open every Saturday for members, operated by volunteers
2003
The W0ENO Callsign — Club Legacy Honored
Effective September 23, 2003, the club’s repeater was officially licensed under
the callsign W0ENO — a deliberate tribute to Frank Duff (W0ENO),
a beloved longtime member and repeater pioneer who became a Silent Key in 1984.
The callsign was later adopted as the official club callsign, ensuring Frank’s
legacy endures in every on-air transmission LARC makes.
2007
Code-Free Licensing Era Begins
The FCC eliminated the Morse code requirement for all amateur radio license classes,
opening the door to a new wave of operators. LARC embraced this change by expanding
its education programs, training classes taught by dedicated club volunteers, and
monthly VE (Volunteer Examiner) testing sessions at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.
2013
The Splatter Returns & 1000-Year Flood Response
“The Splatter” newsletter was revived after a 14-year publication gap, bringing members
a regular digest of club news, technical articles, and event information.
That September, the 1000-year Colorado flood tested LARC’s emergency communications
capacity — members provided support throughout Boulder County during and after
the disaster, affirming the club’s critical role in regional preparedness.
2015 – 2017
Repeater System Modernized
A multi-year project relocated the club’s repeater system from the aging Skyline High
School water tank to new sites. The antenna was initially moved to Fire Station 4
with Longmont city support, and ultimately the primary repeater was relocated to the
Boulder County Justice Center — providing improved coverage across
the entire county. A voting receiver was later added at the Lee Hill
site in cooperation with RMHAM (Rocky Mountain Ham Radio), creating the linked
two-repeater system in use today.
2020 – 2021
Adapting Through COVID-19 & New Programs
COVID-19 forced the cancellation of LARCFest and Field Day in 2020, but LARC
adapted quickly with Zoom-based monthly meetings and the creation of the
Tuesday Evening HamLet Net by President Chuck Poch (K0ITP)
to keep the community connected. Santa On-the-Air in December 2020 was a
huge hit. In 2021, VP Michael Ritchie (W0KKI) launched monthly POTA
(Parks on the Air) activities and regular Fox Hunts — two programs that remain
popular today.
Today
A Thriving Club — Serving Longmont and Beyond
With 150–200 active members, LARC meets on the third Wednesday of every
month at 7:00 PM (Zoom + in-person), hosts two active weekly nets,
provides monthly VE testing, participates in ARRL Field Day at the Boulder County
Fairgrounds each June, and supports community events from parades to emergency
preparedness drills. The club mentors new operators, maintains sister-club
relationships with the CU Boulder Amateur Radio Club and Indian Peaks Radio Club,
and continues to welcome anyone curious about ham radio.
📡
Repeater Infrastructure
LARC maintains two linked repeaters serving Boulder County and surrounding areas, backed by decades of member-driven engineering and partnerships with the City of Longmont, Boulder County, and regional ham radio organizations.
| Band | Frequency | Tone (CTCSS) | Site | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Meters (VHF) | 147.270 MHz (+) |
100.0 Hz |
Justice Center | Primary repeater; EchoLink W0ENO-R |
| 70 cm (UHF) | 448.800 MHz (−) |
88.5 Hz |
Lee Hill | Linked voting receiver; RMHAM partnership |
🤝
Affiliations & Community Ties
🏛️ ARRL Affiliation
LARC is a proud affiliated club of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Colorado Section. Members enjoy access to ARRL educational resources, contest programs, publications, and advocacy at the national level.
🚨 BCARES
A founding member of Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (BCARES) — organized in 1978 with LARC at the table. Club members serve as emergency communicators for Boulder County, assisting during floods, fires, and mass-casualty events.
🎓 Sister Clubs
LARC serves as a “Big Brother/Big Sister” to two regional clubs:
- CU Boulder Amateur Radio Club — mentoring university-age operators
- Indian Peaks Radio Club — supporting the mountain community
📰 The Splatter
LARC’s club newsletter, “The Splatter,” has documented club history, technical projects, member accomplishments, and event coverage since the early 1970s. Back issues are archived and available on the club website. The newsletter is currently seeking a new editor — a great volunteer opportunity!
📻
Club Programs & Activities
📅 Monthly Meetings
Third Wednesday of every month, 7:00 PM
In-person + Zoom hybrid format
Featured speakers, technical presentations, and club business
📡 Weekly Nets
Tuesday – HamLet Net (Educational)
Thursday – LARC Net (Social)
Both on the 147.270 MHz repeater; open to all hams
🎪 LARCFest (April)
Annual hamfest and swap meet at the Boulder County Fairgrounds — held every spring since 1984. Tables, vendors, door prizes, and VE testing on-site.
📋 VE Testing
Monthly Volunteer Examiner (VE) testing sessions held the third Saturday of each month at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Testing for Technician, General, and Amateur Extra class licenses.
⛺ ARRL Field Day (June)
Annual 24-hour operating event at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Pavilion Park, 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont. Multiple HF stations, all bands and modes, open to the public.
🌲 POTA & Fox Hunts
Monthly Parks on the Air (POTA) activations led by club members, plus regular fox hunt (radio direction-finding) events — a great way to develop your skills and explore Colorado’s parks.
🎓 License Classes
LARC offers periodic license preparation classes for prospective Technician, General, and Extra class operators, along with mentoring through the Elmer program.
🚒 Public Service
Communications support for local parades, runs, triathlons, and civic events. BCARES activations for county-wide emergency drills and real incidents.
👥
Current Leadership
President
Chuck Poch
K0ITP
Vice President
Michael Richie
W0KKI
Club Callsign
Longmont ARC
W0ENO
ARRL Section
Colorado
ARRL Affiliated
Be Part of the Next Chapter
LARC has been connecting people through radio since 1952. Whether you hold a Technician ticket or an Extra class license, whether you’re drawn to emergency communications, contesting, digital modes, or just the friendly nets — there’s a place for you here.
Join LARC Today — $20/YearQuestions? Reach us through the Contact page or check in on the 147.270 MHz repeater any Thursday evening. 73 de W0ENO!
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