Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 4004
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Dues are $25 per year payable in January. For a membership application click here (Word) or here (PDF) .
Most club meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM.
- In December a holiday banquet is held at a local restaurant on a Saturday, in lieu of the regular meeting time and location.
- In May our club meeting is held at the BREC Observatory.
Visitors are always welcome. Come by and get acquainted.
Board Members for 2018
Group photo of new 2018 Board Members
Seated L to R: President Robin Hudson KK5RH, Vice-President Todd Huovinen AB5TH, Director Jennifer Bordelon K5NMT
Standing L to R: Directors Thornton Cofield K5HLC, Bill Smith KE5TA, Jerry Clouatre AG5AY, Dave Thomas K5CGX, Treasurer Tom Harrell KE5LVQ, Director Ken Shutt W5KQ, Secretary Brett Hebert KG5IQU, Director Brook Samuel N5DKG
Vice President, Todd Huovinen, AB5TH
I started the hobby as a shortwave listener in 1977. I was in a Radio Shack store in Grand Prairie, Texas and I saw this multi-band radio that supposedly picked up stations from around the world. I asked the sales clerk if I could have a look at it and I was surprised that the radio was able to pick up the Voice of America (VOA) and The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) inside the store with all of the florescent lighting nearby. About the same time, my grandfather in North Dakota discovered that his pastor was an active ham. A short time later I received an assembled Heathkit code oscillator. I still continued to listen to shortwave broadcasts and I also had a citizens band base station from Cobra. I became bored with CB so thankfully that phase didn’t last too long. — continue reading —
Director, Ken Shutt, W5KQ
Ken was originally licensed in 1956 as KN5GUU while his QTH was in New Orleans. After he received his EE degree from Tulane University He was commissioned as an Officer in the US Navy. Ken served in the submarine force (USS Lafayette and USS Haddo) while in the Navy. After his Naval service Ken worked for Exxon in Baton Rouge until his retirement In 1998. Since retirement, Ken has worked for several engineering firms in Baton Rouge as a Project Manager. His amateur radio interests include HF SSB, Amsat satellite, DX, VHF/UHF and digital modes. Ken currently resides in Baton Rouge and is moving to a new QTH next month. Ken has been a member of the Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club since 1976.
Director, Jerry Clouatre, AG5AY
As a teenager in the 60’s, I very much enjoyed electronics. That was the time when both tubes and transistors were popular and I was fascinated with both. With the guidance of a 9th grade science teacher, I built several radios, including a Knight-Kit Star Roamer (it still works). This led me to ham radio and a novice license, WN5UPQ in 1968, which was good for two years in those days. Using a crystal control transmitter and a Drake 2B receiver I made quite a few CW contacts, but my true interest was always about how it worked. I went on to become an electrical engineer and raise a family. I got away from ham radio, but always kept up with electronics along with my many other hobbies. I enjoy flying airplanes, scuba diving, backpacking, piano, mandolin and the list goes on. Just learning anything new is to me what it’s all about. Most of all, I enjoy sharing this with my grandkids and anyone else who’ll listen.
Life has a way of moving us on through families and careers, so after finally retiring after a career in instrument design and application I am now finally back into ham radio as AG5AY. I’m on the air most days as I keep trying new modes – RTTY, SSTV, JT65, FT8, and Satellites. If you hear me on the air, please give me a call!
Visitors are welcome at our monthly club meetings. Come by and get acquainted.
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