Ticket to Adventure
Branch County Amateur Radio Club
Greetings from the Branch County Amateur Radio Club to all who have come to our new website. The BCARC is a 501c3 non-profit corporation that is dedicated to the world of Amateur Radio with a particular focus on the hams of Branch County.
We own and operate 3 repeaters that are available for all hams to use: VHF 147.300 MHz (100 Hz tone) analog, UHF 443.300 MHz (123 Hz tone) analog, and UHF DStar 442.9625 MHz digital.
We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Branch County Municipal Airport at 7:00 PM. All members and guests are welcome to attend our meetings. If the meeting schedule needs to be adjusted, as occasionally happens, current info will be posted on our Facebook page and right here on our website.
We also meet on the air several times each week using our three repeaters. Current net schedules will be posted on our website as well as notifications on our Facebook page.
Thank you for stopping by our website.
Pete Hughes, KB8ZGX, BCARC President
Frequencies and Nets
Please find below the list of our local repeaters and simplex frequencies. Tap or click on any frequency and get more information.
Our Local Repeaters and Nets
Our Simplex Frequencies
Why Amateur Radio?
If cell phones, the internet, and our current infrastructure were ever to be compromised by severe weather or some other catastrophe, how would we be able to communicate with the outside world? Amateur Radio has you covered! As long as you have a working radio and antenna, and access to a power source, you can get your signal out to the world. That’s why the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) says, “When All Else Fails… AMATEUR RADIO!”
About the BCARC
Founded in 1960, the Branch County Amateur Radio Club (BCARC) serves the needs of area Ham Radio operators through their several activities held throughout the year, with hopes of bringing more interest into the vastly expanding world of Amateur Radio, both from the outside and within the club. The BCARC has been affiliated with the ARRL since 1961, and also collaborates with the National Weather Service in their Skywarn program, along with Branch County Emergency Management and various local government entities.
Arnold Wright "Arnie" Hayward Obituary
June 19, 1932 – December 18, 2025
Arnold Wright “Arnie” Hayward, 93 of Coldwater, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 18, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place with a private burial of ashes to be held at Whig Cemetery a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
He was born on June 19, 1932, in Gladwin, MI, to Benjamin and Lucie (Wright) Hayward. A proud patriot, he honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954. On May 16, 1959, Arnie married the love of his life, June Ann Teller. Their marriage of 60 years was marked by love, partnership, and shared passions. June preceded him in death on January 12, 2019, and Arnold carried her memory with him always. Arnie was a hardworking and dedicated provider. He spent 10 years with General Cable, 6 years with Essex, and later devoted 19½ years of service to the State Prison, from which he retired. A man of many interests, he was a committed member of the Branch County Amateur Radio Club, joining in 1990, and was well known by his call sign, NS8T. He had a lifelong love of motorcycles, a passion he joyfully shared with June as the two rode together to every state in the United States, creating countless memories and friendships along the way. Music was another great joy in Arnie’s life. He was a former guitarist and lead singer of their band, The Jesters, and delighted in playing country music at many of the local venues, bringing smiles and toe-tapping rhythms to all who listened. Above all else, Arnold loved his family. His pride in them, his stories, and his steady presence will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Arnold leaves behind his children Deborah Bennett of Bradenton, FL, Diana (Josh Nickerson) Fowler, Arnold (Susan Hodge) Hayward II both of Coldwater, MI, Steven Hayward of Auburn, IN; his siblings Nancy Dooley of Coldwater, MI, Paul (Roni) Hayward of Litchfield, MI; his 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; his several nieces and nephews; his many friends from the Radio Club, and his best friend Larry Camp.
In addition to his loving wife June Hayward, Arnie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Nona Strang.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
For more details, click here