History of the Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club

The Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club started in the fall of 1974 with 5 members. The first meetings were held in the Goldfine's Department Store (the present-day Kmart). In November 1977 the club constitution and by-laws were created and the papers of incorporation were filed.  In 1978 the Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club filed for 501(c)(3) status, which was granted.  The first 2-meter repeater was also installed at the Blueberry Hills in Deer River, MN.  The call sign was K0EL, which is Ed Lee's call sign. 1979 was the year that the Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club became active in Skywarn with the National Weather Service in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1982-1983 the radio club began to sponsor amateur radio classes for teaching new students about amateur radio. The Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club became associated with RACES in the year 1985.  Jim Hebert was the first radio officer.  In 1989, the Care Trak system was pursued by the Northern Lakes Amateur Radio Club.  Jim Marshall and Dick Wilson spearheaded this project.  In March of 1990 another repeater was set up on the Suomi repeater site.