The Hog County Amateur Radio Association, Inc. was birthed in July 2015 to give local Amateur (Ham) Radio Operators an organization through which to participate in local radio events, socialize with other Hams, and in general, a place to call their Amateur Radio Home. Open to all licensed operators or those who want to join the hobby.  We are registered with the State of Florida – SunBiz, as a Florida nonprofit, and we are an IRS-approved nonprofit organization.  We are also an ARRL authorized Club as well.  

Note: the 147.030 repeater was upgraded to a Yaesu C4FM/Fusion System on Monday, September 5, 2022.  Those with analog radios only will need to use the 123.0 tone for both Decode and Encode so as not to hear the digital hash or what sounds like an open squelch. 

Radio Nets:

Monday’s High Noon Net – is held each Monday at 12:00 PM ET.  This Net is held on the K4HOG / 147.030 Repeater with a PL: 123.0, located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node Number 49829 or  EchoLink at K4VEB-R or Node Number 294541.  This Net is a multi-purpose Net; we host Traders / Swop, Technical, Informational, and general Rag Chew sections, so a little something for everyone.  Again you are welcome to join us and add to the fun.

The Hog County Amateur Radio Association, Inc. operates a Radio Net each Monday at 8:00 PM ET. This net is held on the 147.030 Repeater with a PL: 123.0; the repeater is located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node Number 49829 or via EchoLink at K4VEB-R or Node Number 294541. All are welcome to check into the net and help us out with the count. To also share information with the Net and, in doing so, check out their radio equipment for working order.

Friday Free For All Net – held each Friday at 8:00 PM ET. This Net is held on the K4HOG / 147.030 Repeater with a PL: 123.0, located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node Number 49829 or  EchoLink at K4VEB-R or Node Number 294541.  This Net is a multi-purpose Net; we host Traders / Swop, Technical, Informational, and general Rag Chew sections, so a little something for everyone.  Again you are welcome to join us and add to the fun.

Other local nets include the following:

Sunday’s at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT is the Red Oaks Amateur Radio Group Net.  This one is held on the KI4DYE / 145.490 Repeater with a PL: 123.0, located in Bushnell, Florida, and also via the AllStar Node of 40487 or EchoLink of KX4LEO-L (Node #297091). 

Sunday’s at 8:30 PM ET or 2030 hrs. ET is the SkyWarn / Weather Observers Net – held on the K4HOG / 147.030 Repeater with a PL: 123.0, located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node Number 49829 or  EchoLink at K4VEB-R or Node Number 294541.

Monday’s at 8:30 PM ET or 2030 hrs. ET is the local Sumter County Emergency Communications Net – held on the KS4EOC / 146.925 Repeater with a PL: 123.0, located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node 53446 or EchoLink at KD8WAA-R / Node 648680.

ARES Net: The fourth (4th) Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM ET on the KS4EOC / 146.925 Repeater with a PL: 123.0 located in Sumterville, Florida, and also accessible by AllStar at Node 53446 or EchoLink at KD8WAA-R / Node 648680.  For additional information on ARES, please go to – https://www.sumterares.org 

Breakfast – We meet for breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM ET. This is usually at Howie’s Family Restaurant – 840 North Main Street, Bushnell, Florida. But again, please check the calendar or our Facebook page just in case we go elsewhere. But you should also send us an email to K4HOGFL@gmail.com to RSVP; that way, we have a headcount for the restaurant.

Lunch – On the third Saturday of each month, around 11:45 AM, we will meet for lunch; locations may vary, so please check the calendar of events or our Facebook page. Note: this is more so from November to April when our Seasonal group is here, so again, please check. But again, you should also send us an email to K4HOGFL@gmail.com to RSVP; that way, we have a headcount for the restaurant.

VE Exams / Testing for Technician, General, or Extra — We offer the exam on the 1st Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM ET at a location in Bushnell, Florida.  To RSVP or to seek additional information, please email us at SumterVE@gmail.com or give us a call.

All licensed Amateurs are invited and welcome to join the Hog County Amateur Radio Association, Inc.  We are a dues-free association, meaning there are no “Club Dues.” We feel that if there is a need at the association level, we can ask for donations to cover the expenses, and we hope our associates will donate to the cause. If interested in joining, please email us at K4HOGFL@gmail.com or find a copy of our application in the menu bar of this site.

Our Association is also open to supporting local Emergency Communications Groups such as RACES, which is operated by the Sumter County Emergency Management, and Sumter County ARES, SkyWarn (weather observers). We also promote helping out in any community events that may need radio communication and participating in positive events that share the hobby and service of Amateur Radio with the public audience. This does not mean that, as an associate member, you have to participate; it simply means that those who want to assist can do so.

Officers

President:                          Gene King – KI4LEH

Vice President:                  Bobby Smalley – KX4RS

Vice President                   Gil Chapin – WB2UTI

Secretary / Treasurer:       Gail King – KJ4GEK

Contact Information:

Email: K4HOGFL@gmail.com                                                                                                              

Phone: 352-399-8932                                                                                                                            

Address: 4655 NW 68th Blvd., Lake Panasoffkee, Florida 33538