October 18, 2026 📌 Pinned If you live in the Pittsburgh area and would like to become an Amateur Radio operator, the North Hills Amateur Radio Club (NHARC) is offering Technician License classes beginning Thursday, October 22, from 6 pm to 9 pm. This is a 5 week session with the test being given week 5. Classes are held at:
Hackers Guild
2247 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
Parking is available in front of the building and across the street.
There isn’t a charge for the class but we strongly suggest purchasing the ARRL Technician Class License Manual, 6th edition (available from the ARRL or Amazon).
There are many third party license study guides available for download, but be careful of the question pool release date (July, 2026 is the latest).
Reserve your place in class by sending e-mail to class@nharc.org.
October 20, 2026 
On Saturday, October 17, the club set up at Moraine State Park (POTA park US-1387) for our fall activation and picnic at Pleasant Valley Pavilion No. 2.
Everyone who came seemed to have a good time. Everyone did their own thing with their own equipment, and some tried their low power QRP radios with success. The last Ed, WA3YOA, heard from Al, N2MA, he had 15 contacts before lunch. Mark, KB3LYB, made digital contacts with a QRP rig he built from a kit. By comparison, QRP on Field Day is next to impossible given the number of higher power stations on the air that weekend.
Scott, KC3MMG, brought his Starlink satellite system, which supplied WiFi so anyone who needed to sync their computer clock could do so. Ed used it to log into the W3EXW D-STAR controller computer to reboot and relink it. Jeff, N3EVN, was using it for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), the Scouts’ annual radio event, and access to the BSA reflector was important. Fortunately, Jeff had his hotspot with him as a backup when needed.
Reed, WW3A, a club member who lives in Florida, worked Scott on 20 meters. That was Scott’s tenth contact (the number POTA requires for a valid activation), making Scott an official POTA dude. JOTA stations tried to reach us without any luck: the New York QSO Party was on the same weekend, and its big signals were killing the bands.
Special thanks to Gary, KB3GUZ, who made the whole day happen. It was his idea, and he reserved the park, handled all the logistics, and brought and cooked the food.
August 26, 2026 Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Moraine State Park, South Shore Day Use Area, Pleasant Valley Pavilion No. 2. We have the pavilion from 8am to 8pm (exact start and end times TBD).
Moraine is POTA park US-1387, grid EN90WW. Bring your radio gear and get on the air, or just come for the food. Both are valid choices.
Gary KB3GUZ is bringing and cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, plus potato salad and coleslaw. We need someone to handle coolers, ice, and soft drinks. Everyone else can bring snacks.
Family members are welcome, and so is anyone thinking about joining the club. We need a head count before the picnic, so if you plan to attend, email Gary at pota@nharc.org and let him know how many are coming.
Directions: I-79N to Exit 96 (Portersville/Prospect), right onto PA-488, 1.2 miles to Pleasant Valley Rd, left, then 1.2 miles under RT-422 into the park. Past the park office, go 1.9 miles and turn left into the Pleasant Valley picnic area (3rd left in the park). Pavilion No. 2 is the second one on your left.
July 17, 2026 We’re rolling out a modernized version of the Club website. It’s faster, works well on phones and tablets, and is much easier for Club volunteers to keep current.
Everything from the old site is here — repeater frequencies, the net schedule, meeting information, license testing, and D-STAR details. If you spot anything that’s out of date or missing, please let us know at info@nharc.org.
On Thursday August 20th, there is an informal gathering at the Hackers Guild to determine how and where to add new antennas.
We have a POTA planned for October 17 at the Pleasant View shelter in Moraine State Park.
The Woods shelter at North Park has been booked for the 2027 ARRL Field Day event.
73 and see you on the air!