E.A.R.S. General Information

Electronic Applications Radio Service (EARS) is NOT your typical Amateur Radio Club! It's a repeater support organization. Our sole purpose is to provide wide area repeater coverage and the latest in repeater technology to the Amateur community. We encourage EARS supporters to join their own local Amateur Radio club, as EARS does not perform the important functions of a typical Ham Radio club. You can find a list of some local clubs in the EARS coverage area in the Area Club List. For more information on EARS, select the All About EARS page, the EARS History page, and copies of our monthly newsletters. For more information about the repeater network, check out the Wide Area Repeater Map and the Repeater Users Guide.  

What is E.A.R.S. ?

Electronic Applications Radio Service, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to "further public knowledge of electronic fundamentals associated with federally licensed radio services." Some of the goals of E.A.R.S. are to: 1) provide Amateurs with wide area repeater coverage; 2) provide oppertunities for alternative, experimental and new technologies to be used in repeater operation; 3) encourage cooperation between already formed local clubs and organizations; 4) provide the area with reliable, handheld, long- distance communications in the event of an emergency; and 5) promote fellowship and proper operating practices among amateurs. E.A.R.S. is NOT a club, at least as you would normally think of one. E.A.R.S. is not in competition with ANY club or organization; it is simply an alternative organization that supports wide area and experimental repeater projects specifically. "Members" of E.A.R.S. are also members of many, many other Amateur radio clubs and organizations.

What does E.A.R.S. do for me?

While the list is long and we don't have enough room to list everything that E.A.R.S. does for hams, these are some of the more obvious services:

  • Provides FREE access to amateurs to all repeaters, as long as proper courtesy and operating practices are followed
  • Maintains wide area 146.925 repeater, which transmits from north of Vincennes. Two remote receivers are available: one at Vincennes, the other in Terre Haute
  • Maintains wide area 443.925 repeater, at 400 feet in Vincennes; also linked to 146.925
  • Sponsors Commercial license testing for GROL, MROP, and other commercial FCC licenses
  • Operates annual winter hamfest in Evansville; one of the largest hamfests in Southern Indiana (Saturday after Thanksgiving)
  • Provides newsletters, which include news about the repeaters, VE testing, hamfests, Amateur radio in general, and other related information
  • Provides information to new hams about repeater courtesy and operating practices
  • Provides Severe Weather watches and warnings as they are issued on repeater network
  • Full-service, repeater integrated real-time voice mailbox service on 443.925 and 146.925 repeaters

How can I help E.A.R.S.?

There are many ways you can help E.A.R.S. continue serving the VHF/UHF amateur community. Perhaps the most important help would be simply to make good use of the services provided. Monitor the repeaters. Help hams passing through town if possible. Use good repeater courtesy. Another way is to volunteer your talents. Perhaps you can help maintain some equipment, repair equipment, monitor the repeaters as a control operator, help put up antennas, sell tickets at the hamfest, or help with mailings. Whatever help you can offer will be appreciated. Of course, repeaters are expensive to purchase and maintain, as we must pay for electricity, phone lines, and maintenence of some sites. Your financial contributions are greatly appreciated. E.A.R.S. is recognized both by Indiana and the IRS as a not-for- profit, charitable corporation. We do not have "membership dues" since we are not a club. We do not recommend any amount for a donation, as some are able to give more than others. If you need additional information, call (812) 333-4116 or e-mail ears@w9earDOTorg

 

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This page was last modified on March 6, 2017 by Neil Rapp, WB9VPG