Why the BEARS?  Many of the club's founders were officers with the Manchester and East Hartford Police Departments.  Although most have since retired or become silent keys, current members continue to honor their high standards of public service. Some say the phrase "BEARS" was less because of the affiliation with police and more because of the National Park Service signs that read, "Please don't feed the Bears." Whatever the real origin, the bylaws now say it means:

BEARS = Better Emergency Amateur Repeater System

We maintain amateur radio FM repeaters located on the Stanek's commercial tower on Box Mountain in Vernon. The repeaters are open for use by any licensed amateur radio operator.  You do not have to be a member to use the repeater; but we remind users that the dues paid by BEARS members pay for tower space rental and transmitter upkeep, among other things. If you'd like to contribute your share, we encourage you to apply for membership in the BEARS.

Output = 145.110 MHz
Input = -600, PL 77

The group provides gratis communications for public service events, and also acts as a social club.  We meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at 321 Olcott Street, Manchester to listen to guest speakers, exchange ideas and information related to amateur radio, and conduct club business.

Click here for a membership application in the form of a PDF

Click here for a membership application in the form of a MS Word doc