The History of WEARC and ARC Squared. The origins of ARC Squared Radio Club
by Bill Kelly (NB1LL), ARC Squared Radio Club, WEARC Radio Club
In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina was heading for the Gulf Coast, the Red Cross pre-deployed volunteers to Louisiana.
When the hurricane hit, it destroyed all communications in the area.
A few hours after the storm passed, an amateur radio club from Kentucky showed up and started setting up antennas and the Red Cross, in Louisiana, now had communications with the outside world.
A Red Cross volunteer from New Jersey talked to these Hams and was so impressed, he came home and with other Red Crossers looked to start a Red Cross radio club, so we could have the capability to communicate when everything fails.
One of these Red Crossers was a member of the West Essex Amateur Radio Club (WEARC).
Several Red Crossers then earned their licenses, and the Red Cross gave the club a room in the Fairfield, NJ office.
The club received the club call sign of NJ2RC.
The name comes from the American Red Cross Amateur Radio Club or ARCARC or ARC2.
Members of the WEARC Radio Club are automatically members of the ARC Squared Radio Club.