Embedded Files
Founded in 1972, the Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society is an ARRL Affiliated general-interest ham radio club serving the Richmond Metro area. We operate the W4RAT 442.55 and 443.5875 MHz repeaters. Our club meets via Zoom on the third Friday of each month. Meetings are open to everyone -- you do not need to be a member of the club (or even a licensed ham) to join our meetings. Most of our activities are also open to the public. Our members participate in Field Day, the Virginia QSO Party, and a number of other activities in the area. We invite you to join us.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on furthering the art and science of amateur radio by encouraging those interested in electronics and communications to further their knowledge in those fields, promoting the utilization of the higher frequency bands allotted to amateur radio, and offering the use of our communications systems during emergencies and for disaster response. Learn more about RATS.
Need a license? See our Get Licensed page. Our friends at the Catastrophic Amateur Tactical Squad (CATS) offer monthly VE testing in Powhatan County.
Organizing a charity bike ride, marathon, or other special event? Ham radio can help. Contact Jim Rubin W4PKR for more information.
Special Offer for New Hams: Qualifying new members can join RATS for FREE. Open to amateurs of any license class who submit a membership application within 180 days of their initial FCC Technician license grant. Renews in October 2026 at the regular rate (currently $35/year). Online application, electronic billing, and enrollment in automatic dues renewal are required. Click here and select the New Ham Rate. Contact info@rats.net for additional information.
RATS Resources for New and Existing Hams
RATS Resources for New and Existing Hams
Questions, need help or answers about anything radio? We have 20 Elmers ready to help.
Contact us at helpdesk@rats.net
Membership Renewals Start July 1
Membership Renewals Start July 1
Our membership year runs from October 1 to September 30. We'll start taking renewal payments for the 2026-27 membership year on July 1. Members: watch your email for more information and a link to the renewal form. Dues are unchanged from 2025-26.
Operating Tips and Reminders for Linked Repeater Networks
Operating Tips and Reminders for Linked Repeater Networks
With the recent re-homing of our 442.55 MHz C4FM system onto the NC VA Fusion Network, we need to remind all system users of some important operating tips:
► Digital service is primary on the 442.55 repeater. Local analog stations must watch their radio's signal indication for a reasonable amount of time prior to transmitting, in order to avoid conflict with a digital QSO already in progress. Local analog QSOs may be interrupted by distant digital traffic at any time. They're not being rude, they just have no way to know you're there.
► Slow down. Press the PTT button, pause 2 seconds, then begin speaking. When you're finished talking, hold the PTT button 1-2 seconds more, then release. This allows time for all network components to link up without cutting off the beginning or end of your transmission.
► Don't be a pest. Refrain from kerchunking, excessive test transmissions, and other nuisance activities. We will promptly and permanently block disruptive users.
► Proper ID required. Your C4FM radio must transmit a valid FCC call sign, and voice identification is requested. Traffic on the NC VA Fusion Network is carried on several networks that do not support automatic digital call sign transmission and voice ID helps users of those modes identify your station. Unidentified radios will be blocked from WIRES-X network access. Be sure your radio is programmed correctly before using our repeater.
► Share the resource. While lengthy roundtable type QSOs are generally welcome on the system, please be respectful of other users by leaving an adequate space between each transmission to allow another station to join in or to control their end of the link. Take breaks in longer conversations and invite others to join or use the system for other calls.
Our full list of repeater system rules and operating guidelines can be found here and our Technical Committee is available to answer any questions.
442.55 Repeater WIRES-X Update
442.55 Repeater WIRES-X Update
The WIRES-X service on our 442.55 MHz dual-mode FM+C4FM repeater now idles on the NC VA Fusion Network. This system links 15 C4FM and DMR repeaters primarily in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. The NC VA Fusion Network has more participating repeaters and offers more ways to connect into the system from outside the area.
All linked repeaters are reachable from anywhere through WIRES-X Room 68425, YSF Reflector 80822, Brandmeister DMR talkgroup 311095, P25 reflector 822, or NXDN reflector 822. TG 311095 has been added to our DMR File Generator's Brandmeister zones.
A weekly net is held every Saturday at 7:30 PM. This network carries ARRL Audio News Saturdays at 8 PM, and Amateur Radio Newsline Sundays at 8 PM.
New DMR File Generator Makes Programming Easy
New DMR File Generator Makes Programming Easy
We now offer an exclusive DMR File Generator that makes customized CSV or Excel files for import directly into your CPS. No more messy N0GSG Conversions! Supports over 100 models and several popular third-party applications including EditCP, CPEditor, OpenGD77, and Motorola CPS 2.0. You'll get an importable contact list and channel file, and if your radio has importable zones, we'll give you those, too. We also provide step-by-step instructions customized to your CPS that walk you through getting our files into your software and (if necessary) building the zones.
RATS has you covered all up and down the east coast! We have zones from Fort Kent, Maine to Miami, Florida including 16 C-Bridge DMR networks and selected Brandmeister systems. Here's a map. Club members have full access to our entire channel library, and anyone can use guest access to program a radio for the DMRVA and HEARS networks in Virginia and North Carolina. Headed out on vacation? Pull down the latest updates before you go!
Currently offering over 600 channels in nearly 460 zones with additional systems added weekly.
Thank You, RATS Members!
Thank You, RATS Members!
It's a new era for RATS, and we couldn't have done it without the support of our members. Our club is growing, we're doing new things, and participation is at one of the highest levels we've seen in many years. Membership is up compared to the same time last year, and over 28% of RATS members are now involved in one of our committees, work groups, special projects, or on the Board of Directors! The members of our Elmer team and DMR Codeplug project have helped countless hams in the area with elmering and technical advice. Our Public Service Committee now organizes ham support for some of the largest events in our area. We've overhauled our meetings to focus more on the fun stuff our members want to see and less club business talk. And now, we've got a dedicated group organizing fun club activities and educational opportunities, with our new Activities Committee. We're thankful for the time, dedication, and financial support of our members and others in the community. Because of you, the future is bright at RATS. Thank you!
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