About CBRA
The Chesapeake Bay Radio Association is a nonprofit amateur radio club serving Cecil County and the surrounding region through radio communication, technical education, emergency communications, repeater service, and public-service minded activities.
The fire tower and repeater infrastructure are part of CBRA’s long-running radio-service identity.
Radio, public service, and technical education since the early 1970s.
The Chesapeake Bay Radio Association was founded in the early 1970s by radio enthusiasts with roots in Civil Defense communications, local CB radio activity, and practical community communications.
The club first placed an amateur radio repeater on the air in Havre de Grace. In the early-to-mid 1980s, the repeater was moved to the Woodlawn Fire Tower, expanding coverage across Cecil and Harford Counties and strengthening the club’s public-service communications role.
Through hurricanes and other communications challenges, CBRA members have supported emergency and health-and-welfare traffic. The same spirit continues today through repeaters, nets, meetings, mentoring, training, public service, and hands-on technical learning.
CBRA at a glance
Promoting communication, experimentation, education, and service.
CBRA exists to promote interest in Amateur Radio communication and experimentation; support Amateur Radio networks for disasters and emergencies; advance the radio art; foster noncommercial electronic communication; spread education in electronic communication; support research and development; and share technical, educational, and scientific information related to electronic communication.
Connect
Repeaters, nets, HF/VHF/UHF operation, and noncommercial radio communication.
Learn
Licensing support, mentoring, training, operating skills, antennas, and radio basics.
Build
Electronics, SDR, Raspberry Pi, mesh networking, antennas, power, and technical projects.
Serve
Emergency communications, SKYWARN awareness, public service, Field Day, and community support.
Local repeater coverage for everyday and public-service communications.
CBRA’s repeater systems provide local amateur radio coverage and a practical place for licensed operators to check equipment, practice good operating habits, join nets, and communicate across the region.
2 Meter Repeater
146.850 MHz output, standard negative offset, 107.2 Hz tone. The weekly CBRA club net is held on this repeater.
70 Centimeter Repeater
444.825 MHz output with 167.9 Hz tone. UHF service supports local and regional amateur radio activity.
6 Meter Repeater
The 6 meter system is part of CBRA’s technical repeater history and infrastructure. Check current club guidance before using this system.
Amateur radio, technology, training, and field activity.
CBRA combines classic amateur radio with modern technology and practical hands-on learning.
Mentoring
Members help new and interested operators learn radio techniques, antennas, electronics, operating practices, and licensing concepts.
Worldwide Radio
Amateur Radio operators can communicate locally, regionally, and worldwide using HF, VHF/UHF, digital modes, satellites, and portable operating.
Field Activities
Field Day, POTA, SOTA, contests, demonstrations, training, and public-service activities give members practical operating experience.
Training & Testing
CBRA supports radio learning and points visitors toward licensing resources, VE testing information, and local training opportunities.
Technology Projects
Members explore SDR, Raspberry Pi, Meshtastic, MeshCore, Linux, antennas, power systems, and practical radio-related technology.
Public Service
CBRA supports preparedness-minded communications through repeater coverage, operating practice, SKYWARN awareness, and community service.
Visitors are welcome at CBRA meetings.
CBRA meetings are normally held at the Rising Sun Fire Department, 300 Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway, Rising Sun, Maryland 21911, at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of the month unless the club calendar shows a change.
The weekly CBRA club net is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and is held on the WA3SFJ 2 meter repeater. Operators may also connect through AllStar node 558300 or EchoLink node WA3SFJ-R / 585690 when available.
Meeting location
Rising Sun Fire Department
300 Joseph Biggs Memorial Highway
Rising Sun, MD 21911
Typical schedule:
Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Public governance is open; internal records stay protected.
CBRA’s bylaws define club purpose, membership, leadership, meetings, repeater operations, and voting rules. Public governance documents can be shared openly, while minutes, treasurer reports, internal standards, and maintenance records remain in the member area.
Officers
Officer and committee information is maintained from club records. Member-only records remain protected behind login.
Protected Records
Meeting minutes, reports, and technical maintenance records are available only to approved members or officers.