The Tennessee Amateur Radio Association (TARA) is a prominent statewide organization that works in close collaboration with local clubs like the Nashville Amateur Radio Club (NARC) to unify and support ham radio operators across the Volunteer State.
Based on the association’s mission to “leave amateur radio better than we found it,” here is an overview of TARA, its relationship with Nashville’s local club, and its signature statewide event.
What is the Tennessee Amateur Radio Association (TARA)?
Founded in 2024, TARA serves as a statewide hub for amateur radio enthusiasts. Unlike local clubs that focus on specific cities or counties, TARA acts as an umbrella organization and advocacy group. Its primary goal is to foster collaboration among hobbyists, promote technical education, and enhance emergency communications infrastructure throughout Tennessee.
The association provides a “connective tissue” for the state’s ham radio community, offering a unified platform for training, testing, and public service demonstrations.
Relationship with the Nashville Amateur Radio Club
While the Nashville Amateur Radio Club (NARC)—established in 1934—is the oldest and most active local organizations in Tennessee, TARA complements its work on a broader scale.
- Affiliation: NARC is a primary partner and affiliate of TARA. While NARC focuses on the immediate Nashville metropolitan area, its members often hold dual memberships in TARA to participate in statewide initiatives.
- Infrastructure Sharing: The two organizations often collaborate on technical projects, such as linking repeater systems to ensure that operators in Nashville can communicate with hams in East and West Tennessee during emergencies.
- Support: TARA provides resources and a “Connect” application that helps NARC members stay informed about events beyond the Nashville city limits, effectively bridging the gap between local interest and statewide networking.
The TARA Weekly Statewide Net
One of the most significant ways TARA unites the state is through its Weekly Statewide Net, held every Saturday night at 8:00 PM Eastern (7:00 PM Central).
This net is designed to be highly inclusive, utilizing a “multi-mode” approach to ensure almost any licensed operator can join, regardless of their equipment. Key details include:
- RF Coverage: The net utilizes the W4KEV repeater system and a “bridge” of over 11 linked repeaters across Tennessee.
- Digital Integration: For those out of range of a physical repeater, the net is accessible via DMR (Talkgroup 31473), System Fusion (YSF 31473), and AllStar Link (Node 610750).
- Purpose: The net serves as a weekly “check-in” for the state, where operators share signal reports, community news, and practice the technical skills necessary for large-scale emergency communication.
How to participate in the weekly net Every Saturday at 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. If you are in the greater Metro Nashville area you can use the AF4TZ repeater, which will be linked with all the other participating repeaters statewide:
- Local Repeaters: 146.670- (no tone) / 442.750+ (tone 100.0)
- DMR : 3196460
- AllStarLink: 610750
- Echolink: W3FDE-R
- Other ways to join the net
For more information on joining the association or finding the frequency for your specific county, visit the official website at www.tnara.org.