Established in 1946 in cooperation with the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Plant in Middle River, Maryland, the Aero Amateur Radio Club has been serving the communities of Essex and Middle River for 64 years. Members of the club are active in the Baltimore County Civil Defense network to provide Shelter Area communications in the event of a disaster. The club is also associated with Kenwood High School in the Essex area which has the call sign AE3RO. Amateur Radio repeater systems are located at the school using the clubs call W3PGA. The club also provides VE testing for amateur radio operator licenses and upgrades. The next VE testing session will be on March 21, 2009. See the VE Testing page for details.
In addition to providing a public service to the community, the club regularly participates in American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsored contests that simulate emergency conditions in the field. These events include Field Day and VHF contests using emergency power while operating in the field. Recently the club ventured to Hart Miller Island and placed it on the IOTA (Islands On The Air) list # MD015S. The AERO Amateur Radio Club has been ARRL affiliated since 1956.
The club conducts nets on the second and fourth/fifth Wednesdays of the month. The second Wednesday net meets on 28.445 MHz. using USB, the fourth Wednesday net meets on 147.84/147.24 MHz. FM, and the fifth Wednesday net (when applicable) meets on 449.575/444.575 MHz. All nets are open to licensed radio amateurs.
We have meetings regularly on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Coffman's Snack Bar, 2101 Orems Road, Baltimore MD 21220 Tel: 410-686-3233. The meetings are informal and open to prospective members. The snack bar is located in Middle River, one block south of Martin Blvd. on Middle River Road. GOOGLE MAP
