The Tennessee Amateur Radio Association was founded on July 7, 2024. What began as a grassroots initiative, aimed at a few dedicated stewards of the hobby, has evolved into a platform where individuals can share thoughts and ideas, regardless of their club affiliation or location. Since its inception, the group has transformed into a statewide association focused on fostering a vibrant and expanding amateur radio community here in the Volunteer State.
Our mission is to advocate for the advancement and enrichment of the ham radio hobby by fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts, clubs, and organizations. We are dedicated to promoting the benefits of amateur radio as a critical tool for communication, emergency preparedness, and technical innovation. Through educational outreach, collaborative events, and the support of local clubs, we strive to enhance public awareness of ham radio, encourage new operators to join our ranks, and celebrate the diverse interests that make our hobby unique. Together, we aim to create an inclusive environment where knowledge is shared, skills are developed, and lifelong friendships are formed, ensuring the continued growth and relevance of amateur radio in today's interconnected world.
"To Leave Amateur Radio Better Than We Found It"
We are the Tennessee Amateur Radio Association, bound by the spirit of the Volunteer State and the commitment to our community.
The Tennessee Amateur Radio Association strengthens amateur radio in the Volunteer State by organizing and coordinating events to keep operators engaged, conducting testing sessions to attract newcomers to the hobby, and fostering community outreach that brings members and clubs together. TARA advances clubs' reach to new and prospective members by speaking at club events and hamfests about ways to stay active. We conduct workshops and information sessions on various aspects of the hobby, while also bringing innovative technology to the forefront of amateur radio with the TARA Connect app. All of these efforts aim to leave amateur radio better than we found it!
Join! The association offers memberships for both individuals and clubs. We strive to keep association dues as low as possible while providing valuable benefits. Unlike some organizations, we do not seek to profit from membership dues. Both individual and club memberships offer a range of benefits. Additionally, we do not charge membership dues for youth memberships! We also have programs in place to help students aged 25 and under obtain their licenses completely free of charge.
We started with no dues because we believe that everyone should have a place in the association, regardless of financial constraints. As the association grew, so did the services we offered. We offer a free membership option that, while it does not include all the perks and entitlements of the paid membership, allows everyone to come together as good stewards and share camaraderie. If you are able to afford the dues, we encourage you to do so, as it enables the association to grow and give back to the Volunteer State. The Tennessee Amateur Radio Association is chartered as a nonprofit organization, with our 501(c)(3) status currently pending. Donations and dues will soon be tax-deductible.
Creating a profile on the Connect App is a breeze. All you need is an email and a password, and you’ll be able to submit a club net or even an event. The Connect App is Tennessee operators' one-stop shop for finding information about clubs, nets, and events happening right here in Tennessee.
I have been involved in emergency services and communications for the past 16 years. My experience in this field led me to amateur radio, and I quickly became an emergency coordinator for ARES while living in Georgia. After moving back to the Volunteer State, I remained actively engaged in the radio community. Professionally, I work as a communications specialist for an aeromedical service, and in my free time, I enjoy camping with my wife and four daughters. It is my goal for the association to continue its growth and to fulfill its mission of leaving amateur radio better than we found it.
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