K9JX is the current call sign of the Jacksonville Amateur Radio Society (JARS).  The club was founded in the late 1950s and incorporated in 1958 as the Jacksonville Area Amateur Radio Club (JAARC), and had one of the earlier two meter repeaters on the air in West Central Illinois. Going through some of the old repeater logs (back when there had to be a control op logging activity) we find the club held the call sign W9TZL.  That was the call sign of a founding member that had passed away. Also, back when repeaters were issued "WR" call's the club had WR9ACS on the repeater.  In the early 1990's the club decided to change its name to the current name because of a conflict with another local organization with the same acronym. At about the same time the club was issued the call of KB9KCR before obtaining the vanity call of K9JX.  It’s a fitting call since the local airport ID is KIJX with the VOR sending IJX in CW!

 

The JARS has always been involved with ARES, Field Day, Skywarn and many other activities such as covering bike-a-thon’s, relay races, parades and special events.  Our club has hosted Hamfest in the past.  We have helped local and state organizations in times of need and has close ties with the Red Cross.  We have always held a strong sense of community for here and all the towns surrounding Jacksonville and have always been glad to give a helping hand when someone is in need.  The largest event in my history with the JARS was the great flood of 1993 that devastated the communities along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.  We set up communications to help the Red Cross with their efforts feeding sandbaggers along the Illinois River West of Winchester IL.  During that time we were able to also help with communications between the Illinois National Guard and the local Scott County Sheriff.

 

The JARS currently has two repeaters on a downtown Jacksonville IL, Morgan County high rise building operating on 146.775 MHz (103.5pl) and 444.675 MHz (103.5pl).  The JARS meets every month on the first Friday at the local Red Cross office, 7PM.  There is also a net on the 147.775 repeater every Saturday night at 9PM.  Take some time to visit our website at K9JX.com