What is Radio Society of Tucson?
The Radio Society of Tucson (RST) is an ARRL Special Service Club that loves sharing the world of Amateur Radio with anyone who’s curious. Our repeater is open to everyone—members and non‑members alike—so whether you’re brand‑new or a long‑time operator, you’re always welcome to jump in, connect, and be part of the community.
About Club Meetings
RST gets together on the second Tuesday of every month at the Golden Corral (4380 E 22nd St, Tucson). The Board of Directors meets first at 5:45 PM, and everyone is welcome to drop in for the General Meeting’s casual “meet and greet” starting at 6:00 PM. The main meeting kicks off at 7:00 PM, giving members and guests a chance to catch up, share updates, and enjoy a presentation on a topic of interest.
Mentoring and New Member Support
RST is dedicated to helping new members and freshly licensed hams find their footing in the hobby. We offer mentoring and one‑on‑one support from experienced operators who are happy to share their knowledge. Whether you’re learning the basics or looking to build confidence on the air, there’s always someone ready to guide you and help you get involved in the fun of amateur radio.
Volunteer Examiner Team and Licensing Services
RST is proud to sponsor an active Volunteer Examiner Team (VE Team) in partnership with the Laurel VEC. The team holds free license exam sessions on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM. Thanks to this partnership, RST and the Laurel VEC introduced Arizona’s first fee-free Amateur Radio Testing Service, offering no‑cost exams and fast licensing since 2012.
The VE Team provides testing for all amateur radio license classes, and RST also offers licensing classes to help people study for their first license or prepare for an upgrade. It’s a friendly, supportive way to take your next step in the hobby.
New Ham Net
RST hosts a weekly “New Ham Net” to give new amateur radio operators a relaxed, supportive place to get comfortable on the air. It’s designed with beginners in mind, but all hams are welcome to jump in and take part. Each week we chat about things like operating basics, good on‑air etiquette, and other topics that help new operators build confidence.
The net meets every Thursday at 8:00 PM Arizona time on the N7HND repeater (147.000 MHz output, 147.600 MHz input, 110.9 Hz CTCSS on input). We usually wrap up around 8:30 PM, depending on how many folks check in. Everyone with a license is invited to join the conversation.
Radio Days in the Park
RST hosts “Radio Days in the Park” two to three times each month, giving everyone a relaxed outdoor space to try out their portable gear, swap ideas, and learn from fellow operators. If there’s going to be a special demo or activity, we usually announce it at the RST meeting beforehand and send out an email a day or two in advance. All upcoming dates are also posted on the website, so it’s easy to keep track of what’s coming up. Current hams, future hams, and anyone curious about the hobby are always welcome—no RST membership required.
Field Day and Emergency Communications
One of the highlights of the year for the Radio Society of Tucson is taking part in ARRL Field Day on Mt. Lemmon and Winter Field Day at Udall Park. These events give members a refreshing break from the desert heat and a chance to enjoy a cooler mountain setting while sharpening their emergency communication skills. Field Day is hands‑on and practical members set up gear, run through simulated emergency scenarios, and practice the kinds of communication techniques that matter when real‑world situations arise.
Contesting and Special Events (CASE) SIG
The Contesting and Special Events (CASE) Special Interest Group gives RST members—and their friends, family, and coworkers—a fun way to dive into the competitive side of amateur radio. The group encourages everyone to jump into different contests and special events, which are great opportunities to sharpen operating skills, try new techniques, and enjoy a little friendly competition. It’s also a fantastic way to build teamwork and camaraderie within the club.
RST and the CASE group stay busy throughout the year supporting a wide range of major contests and special events. The exact lineup changes a little from year to year, but it usually includes Winter Field Day in January, ARRL Field Day in June, the Arizona QSO Party in October, CQ WW DX (phone in October and CW in late December), and the ARRL 10 Meter Contest in early December.
Every November, we also host the 10‑day CACTUS event, where operators team up to activate eight special event callsigns across all the popular bands and modes—racking up thousands of contacts along the way. These activities give members the chance to operate in different conditions and contest styles, offering hands‑on experience and plenty of opportunities to grow their skills in amateur radio.
Public Service and Event Support
RST has a dedicated liaison to help coordinate Amateur Radio support for public service and charitable events. David Bjorgaard, K7ACE (vicepresident@rstclub.org), serves as our Public Service Liaison. If you’re an amateur radio operator interested in helping out at community events—or if you’re an event organizer looking for reliable radio communications support—David is the person to contact for details and coordination.
People
Past President
In recognition of their service to RST, the club constitution grants the former club president a non-voting advisory role to the board of directors.
- Richard Schmidt K7NSW
Directors
RST is governed by a board of directors comprising four officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer), and two to five non-officer directors. This list is current as of the October 2024 election.
- President Joe Statkevicus K3TYE president@rstclub.org
- Vice President David Bjorgaard K7ACE vicepresident@rstclub.org
- Secretary Cameron Legan KK7OLN secretary@rstclub.org
- Treasurer Harold Hallikainen W6IWI treasurer@rstclub.org
- Bruce Betterley WA1BZQ
- Kirk Krentzel W0PSN
- Jason Ninneman KL3PD
- Charlie Ketchum N7OMI
- Chris Volkman KK7FHO
Join RST
If you’d like to join or get involved, please contact us at president@rstclub.org and we’ll be happy to help you get started or visit our join page: Join RST – RADIO SOCIETY OF TUCSON.
Joe Statkevicus K3TYE
RST President
PO Box 13603 Tucson, AZ 85732
Email to president@rstclub.org
Mailing address
Radio Society of Tucson, Inc.
PO BOX 13603
TUCSON AZ 85732-3603