The Half Moon Bay Amateur Radio Club (HMBARC) is an association of amateur radio operators and those interested in radio communication as a hobby and for community service in the San Mateo County Coastside communities of Half Moon Bay, Princeton, El Granada, Miramar, Moss Beach, and Montara. We are an affiliated club of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
We have been recognized as an ARRL Special Service Club for "...the club’s commitment to improve the visibility of amateur radio as a positive force in the community by assisting in emergencies, and providing and encouraging training; as well as to further club activities for the betterment of the membership and the amateur radio service."
In support of the Coastside communities, we partner with Coastside Fire Protection District, and Coastside CERT and others through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®), an ARRL field organization.
We assist with communications for public events like Pacific Coast Dream Machines, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run, and others. The club uses two open repeater systems (VHF and UHF) that cover the Coastside with antennas located at the Half Moon Bay Sheriff's Substation. Every June, we set up an off-the-grid emergency radio station next to the old train station at 110 Higgins Canyon Road and participate in ARRL Field Day, a two day national event, contacting stations all over the United States and Canada.
HMB ARES particpated in San Mateo County Preparedness Day August 2, 2025. Along with the SMC Sheriff's Dept. we had many young people get on the air for their first experience of ham radio.
HMB ARES and other Bay Area volunteers provided radio communications support for the 2025 Dream Machines
Half Moon Bay High School Outreach, September 19, 2024, pictured below
HMBARC Operates Branch 1 and Branch 2 Net Control from Fire Station 40 for Great Shakeout Emergency Preparation Drill, September 22, 2024, pictured above
