VARC members aid National Weather Service during local tornado
A VARC member's water tank webcam image helped the NWS Tallahassee issue a tornado warning in Valdosta on February 4th, 2024.
On the air in Valdosta since
1927.
The Valdosta Amateur Radio Club keeps multiple repeaters on the air, helps newcomers get licensed, and supports ARES and SKYWARN when the weather turns.
- Tank site: 146.760 and 444.700 MHz, tone 141.3 Hz
- Estimated mobile range: about 15 mi (444.700), about 25 mi (146.760)
- WAFT: club meetings
Meeting and repeaters
Where to find us, on air and in person.
2nd Tuesday
6:30 PM · every month
Next Second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 PM Eastern
- Venue
- WAFT
- Address
- 215 WAFT Hill Ln, Valdosta, GA 31602
| Output MHz | Offset | Tone | Published Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 146.7602 m · FM · AllStar | -600 kHz | 141.3 Hz | Online |
| 444.70070 cm · FM · AllStar | +5 MHz | 141.3 Hz | Online |
| 444.37570 cm · FM · AllStar | +5 MHz | 141.3 Hz | Online |
| 145.1402 m · D-STAR · Module C | -600 kHz | not used | Online |
| 443.712570 cm · D-STAR · Module B | +5 MHz | not used | Online |
| W4VLD-1APRS digipeater | Track it(aprs.fi) | Online | |
Status is the club's published status, updated by hand. It is not live monitoring. FM repeaters use tone 141.3 Hz and are linked with AllStar; D-STAR repeaters need a D-STAR radio.
“Members are encouraged to monitor VARC sponsored repeaters at all times in order to support both local or traveling Amateur Radio operators.”
Tower cameras · storm report
A club camera saw the tornado before radar did.
On February 4, 2024, an amateur radio operator sent the National Weather Service a water tank camera picture of a tornado that radar had not yet shown. The tornado warning went out three minutes later.
“It is the single best chat I’ve ever gotten in my career so far.”
The project started in August 2012 to help the National Weather Service with weather spotting.
Membership
What members get.
You do not need a license to join.
- The Shack Repeater status, the club weather station, band conditions and guides, for members only.
- A club email address Your own @w4vld.com address.
- The member roster A searchable list of fellow members.
- Notifications on your phone Meeting reminders, severe weather warnings, launches and passes.
What members getThe two buttons open members.w4vld.com.
Where to start
Start where you are.
Local hams
Already licensed
Frequencies, nets, the meeting, the tower cameras and the members site.
New to radio
Want a license
The club runs training, license exam sessions and mentoring.
EMA and NWS partners
Emergency management
ARES and SKYWARN support from local licensed operators.
The club at Field Day
Seasoned operators and newcomers, on one net.
The Valdosta Amateur Radio Club (VARC) is an active organization dedicated to fostering the growth and development of amateur radio enthusiasts in Valdosta, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Through the year the club organizes field days, contests, public demonstrations and community outreach, and takes part in emergency preparedness drills.
- Est.
- 1927
- ARRL charter
- 20 FEB 1947
- Incorporated
- 1955
- First repeater
- 146.760 · c.1975
Club news
Recent club news.
Newest first. The most recent post is from .
2023 VARC Update – About Us
The Valdosta Amateur Radio Club (VARC) is an active organization dedicated to fostering the growth and development of amateur radio enthusiasts in Valdosta, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Field Day 2022
We will be hosting Field Day June 25th 2022 at the WAFT Radio Station in Valdosta, GA.
Field Day 2021
Come join us June 26, 2021 for Field Day! We’ll be starting at 2PM operating at WAFT.