About

History

The Amateur Radio Communications Auxiliary (ARCA) was formed in late 2007 to provide operational and logistical support for Amateur Radio Communications at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), located at the State Police Headquarters in Richmond, VA. The members range from experienced amateur radio and emergency communications operators to newly licensed amateurs. Many are members of other area clubs and local ARES / RACES groups.

Leadership Team

ARCA is led by a group of dedicated individuals. The Leadership Team includes:

  • Reid Barden, N1VCU
  • David Elkins, KN4LQN
  • Jamie Stapleton, KD4RJN

The Leadership Team would like to thank all of the many volunteers who volunteer too much of their own time to make the organization run.

What We Do

ARCA members provide the following services to the Virginia Department of Energency Management (VDEM):

  • Operators for the Terry Herbert Memorial Radio Room at the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.
  • Field deployable operators to operate in mobile command centers or with field portable equipment.
  • Expertise to assist with the selection, installation, and maintenance of amateur radio equipment.
  • Act as liaisons with various amateurs, clubs, ARES / RACES groups, and local jurisdictions throughout Virginia.

During Operations

ARCA members utilize multiple frequencies and modes which include the following: ***NOTE THIS IS NOT OFFICIAL AND IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER***

  • HF voice — Old Dominion Emergency Net — 3947 MHZ and 7240 MHZ
  • Digital — Winlink using HF or VHF gateways as necessary.
  • The VEOC will monitor the 146.880 W4RAT repeater in Central VA, the 147.330 W4ROC in Western VA (Lexington) and the 146.760 KB4ZIN repeater in Tidewater (Williamsburg) during activations while others will be used as necessary to establish communications throughout the Commonwealth.

Please see our current ICS 205 on our status page for the best ways to contact us during an activation.

If you are interested in

  • volunteering your amateur radio skills, specialties or interests;
  • gaining experience by operating various amateur equipment or modes; or
  • providing emergency communications during times of disaster;

please contact Reid Barden, reidbarden@gmail.com for more information.