This NLARC history document is a result of visits with local hams who provided details from their memories from the past 40 years and from existing written documents. This history is not complete and perhaps as you read this and because of your involvement you may be inclined to add more detail or clarify some of the statements made. If so, please contact James E. Byrd or call 757.864.5961.
The Early Days
NLARC was first founded as the PEARS (Peninsula Emergency Amateur Repeater Society) in 1962. An effort began at that time by NASA Hams and people in the community to utilize Amateur Radio VHF FM communications for public service. This began with the installation of a 146.34/146.94 repeater on a scaffolding tower in Poquoson VA, about 2 miles north of the present site on the IDRF gantry. This tower was 250 feet tall and possessed a radio reflector that was used for NASA research purposes. It is said that this 146.34/146.94 system was one of the first three repeaters in Virginia. The other two were located in Richmond and Roanoke. At that time K4UMI was operating with 1kW of power with a separate antenna used for receiving. From 1962 until 1967 this was the only repeater in the Tidewater area and was heavily utilized by the growing Amateur Radio VHF community.
Some of the original players in the PEARS group were:
In October 1971 NASA research efforts utililzing the 250 foot tower in Poquoson came to an end. The original homebrew repeater was retired and the scaffolding tower was dismantled. Monies came available under the Civil Defense act to purchase two commerical grade Motorola repeaters for both the 146.34/146.94 and the new 448.65/443.65 frequencies. A Sinclair Hybrid ring duplexer was purchased for the 146.34/146.94 repeater from private funds. Both new repeaters were installed on the IDRL gantry (originally the Lunar Landing Research Facility or LLRF).
In 1973 PEARS informed the new Carolinas-Virginia Repeater Association, Inc. (CVRA) organization of it's previous 11 years of operations on the 146.34/146.94 frequency pair and of two years of operation on the 448.65/443.65 frequency pair.
By 1976, some of the later PEARS members were:
In 1974 both repeater callsigns were changed from K4UMI to WR4AFT/R to conform with the new FCC repeater callsign requirements at that time.
By 1985 members of the original PEARS group eventually moved, retired, or became interested in other projects. The remaining NASA hams decided to form the Langely Amateur Radio club (LARC). Both repeaters were maintenanced by Dave Holmes, Otis Riggins, John Carlson, and John Parker.
In 1988 both VHF and UHF repeater callsigns were changed back to K4UMI.
By 2000, Dave Holmes indicated that he was interested in relenquishing the trusteeship of both the VHF and UHF repeater systems.
On April 19, 2001, the LARC club was renamed as the NASA Langley Amateur Radio Club (NLARC) and began a presence on the Internet.
On May 8, 2001, the new KG4NJA club callsign was received.
On July 20, 2001, the KG4NJA (LARCND) digipeater was activated on 145.73 MHz.
On November 8, 2001, both VHF and UHF voice repeaters were removed for major refurbishment in conjunction with a directive from NASA management to remove all radio equipment from the IDRL structure while repainting operations were in progress.
In May 2002 repainting operations ceased after monies were reallocated to other NASA projects of higher priority. This allowed the reinstallation of the repeaters once they became available after refurbishment.
On August 9, 2002, the 146.34/146.94 repeater was put back in service with the new club callsign of KG4NJA. The VHF repeater now has a CAT-300 DX controller.
On September 3, 2002, Dave Holmes transferred the trusteeship of both the 146.34/146.94 and 448.65/443.65 repeaters to Jim Byrd after 40 years of service (1962-2002).
On September 18, 2002, Jim Byrd transferred the trusteeship of 448.65/443.65 repeater to Addison Inge.
On November 15, 2002 frequency coordination was received from the Southeastern Repeater Association (SERA) to begin operations on 146.07/67 and 448.65/443.65 MHz.
On April 25, 2003 the NLARC ceased operations on 146.34/94 MHz.
On April 29, 2003 the NLARC began operations on 146.07/67 MHz.
Web page operations: James E. Byrd
Responsible NASA Official: Richard S. Eckman