Welcome to the MSU ARC!

The first radio station at Michigan State University was established through the efforts of the Amateur Radio Club in 1919 using the call letters of 8YG – broadcasting weather reports and farm market prices.

In 1925 8YG became WKAR, the public broadcast station of Michigan State University, while a ham radio station was formed using the call letters 8XBU. In 1927 the call 8SH was issued to the amateur radio station. Today the MSU Amateur Radio Club operates W8SH and W8MSU from the campus in East Lansing.

What is Amateur (Ham) Radio?
Do I Need a License?

Winter Field Day 2025

Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event for amateur radio enthusiasts, taking place on the last full weekend of January. It offers a unique opportunity for radio operators to set up field operations in remote locations, enabling them to connect with other participants worldwide. You may choose to participate solo or get your your friends, family, or whole club involved. Winter Field Day is organized by the Winter Field Day Association. The association strongly believes that ham radio operators should practice portable emergency communications in winter environments.

More Information

Days

Hours

Minutes

Upcoming Meetings

February 11, 2025
  • The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program Zoom Meeting

    February 11, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

March 11, 2025
  • The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program Zoom Meeting

    March 11, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

April 8, 2025
  • The ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program Zoom Meeting

    April 8, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Upcoming Nets

January 16, 2025
  • MSU ARC NET-NCS Kevin KE8UVX

    January 16, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

January 23, 2025
  • MSU ARC NET-NCS Rick AD8KN

    January 23, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

January 30, 2025
  • MSU ARC NET-NCS Anne WA9ZZ

    January 30, 2025  8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Park Scholarship 2024

Congrats to the recipients of the Park Amateur Radio Scholarship for 2024, Norah KF8BRM and Brennan KE8JVZ! Robert, Ed, Mrs. Park, and the recipients met up in 2121 to celebrate and thank her for her generosity in supporting both students and the amateur radio hobby. If you’re a club member and interested in next year’s…

MORE >

Collegiate QSO Party 2024

MSU recently entered the Collegiate QSO party and finished with a claimed total of 12,792! Special operating thanks to Ed W8EO, Brennan KE8JVZ and Greg KE8ZGS. When the final placement is announced after all other logs are collected, results will be posted on the site.

MORE >

Station Rennovations

The W8SH antenna project is well underway at 2121! Charlie KE8ZRH, Zach, Apu, Brennan KE8JVZ, Ed W8EO and Jay NT0Y measured the conduit and cut the 1/2″ Heliax. The new runs will be about 150 feet from shack to the top of the tower. Al W8RXY will be by this week to connectorize one end…

MORE >

Sparticipation 2024

This year’s event was a massive success. Thousands of students arrived at IM Field East and saw the MSU ARC table in action. Charlie KE8ZRH brought an eclectic collection of HTs, and Norah KF8BRM brought the banner, QSO cards, books, and more. Jay NT0Y brought an FT8 station with a 17 foot antenna and a…

MORE >

New Ham!

Current MSU ARC President Norah Daley has passed her Technician License exam. Please welcome KF8BRM to the ham radio community at MSU!

MORE >

New Ham!

Congrats to Balaji (KF8BJU) for passing his Technician License Exam and aquiring his license! Balaji is the VP of the MSU IEEE Student Branch. You can find Balaji on our Discord or in person at the College of Engineering.

MORE >