About Us
Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club is based in Union City in Obion County of Northwest Tennessee. The club name is derived from Reelfoot Lake which was formed by a series of earthquakes in late 1811 and early 1812. These earthquakes were so powerful, that they could be felt as far away as Washington, D.C. and Quebec, Canada. The end result was an 18,000 acre lake that serves as a state recreational facility today. See New Madrid Earthquake for more information.
Amateur Radio Today
Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League and has the call sign K4RFT. The sparse "ham" population in this area has resulted in our having members from counties adjacent to or near Obion County. As we are located next to Kentucky, we often have members from southwest Kentucky visit and join the club.
We are a small group with growing enthusiasm and a desire to pass along the elements necessary to make new "hams". Membership is open to anyone expressing an interest in amateur radio. No license is required to become a member, although full voting privileges are reserved for members who are licensed amateur radio operators.
Virtually sitting atop of the New Madrid fault makes our primary interest emergency communications training. Lots of time is spent talking about emergency communication needs and capabilities in our communities. As part of our training, we participate in the annual Field Day operations to hone our emergency preparedness. Additionally, there is the weekly West Tennessee West Kentucky Emergency Net which meets on Sunday evenings at 9 PM on the local Union City WA4YGM repeater (146.70 / .10 MHz). Given today's world environment and the War on Terrorism, emergency communications is a necessary commodity and it is our goal to be an efficient part of that effort.
- -Glenn R. Snow, N4MJ - - President-Emeritus RARC
President's Memo
I received my Technician license on September 11, 2020. One month later, I upgraded to General, and the following June—during ARRL Field Day—I received my Extra class license. At the time, the uncertainty in the world had me asking a lot of “what if” questions: What if cell service goes down? What if I can’t reach my family? Those practical concerns led me down a much larger rabbit hole. I quickly discovered that amateur radio wasn’t just useful—it was also incredibly experimental and fun.
Since then, I’ve watched the hobby experience a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a strong social media presence and a steady stream of new activities and technologies. In my relatively short time as a ham, I’ve embraced many different aspects of the hobby. “Drinking from a fire hose” is the phrase that comes to mind. Whether it’s learning to solder, building antennas, checking into local nets, or making contacts around the world, amateur radio offers an endless supply of new things to learn and enjoy.
The Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club is a welcoming group of hams with a wide range of experience and interests. No matter whether you prefer CW, digital modes, kit building, emergency communications, or anything in between, there’s a place for you here. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, newly licensed, or still thinking about getting your ticket, we’d love for you to join us. We hold a weekly net, meet monthly for an educational presentation, and regularly participate in events like Parks on the Air (POTA). Our biggest event of the year is ARRL Field Day, where we set up outdoors, play radio, share great food, and enjoy time with friends.
Amateur radio is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, explore, and have fun. If you're interested in the hobby and want to join a great group where you can learn from others and share your own knowledge, feel free to stop by!
73, Patrick R. Hall KO4HEX
President, Reelfoot Amateur Radio Club
- - May 18, 2026
