Welcome to the South Metro Radio Club!
Whether you’re a seasoned CB, Ham Radio, or GMRS operator… or just beginning your journey into the world of radio communications, you’ve found your community. Here, we celebrate the timeless art of connecting across distances, building resilient networks, and fostering genuine friendships through the airwaves. From emergency preparedness and public service to casual conversations and technical experimentation, our club offers a welcoming space for all enthusiasts to learn, share, and grow together. Grab your radio, key up, and join us—we’re excited to have you on frequency!
Our Repeaters
Learn about what frequencies we hang out on, our repeaters, CTCSS tones, and coverage maps.
Education
Getting GMRS Licensed
A beginner-friendly guide to obtaining your radio GMRS licenses. No studying, and no test needed.
Resources
Links to the ARRL, FCC ULS, GMRS licensing site, propagation tools (DX Summit, PSK Reporter), and places to buy the gear you need.
Club Info
We are knows as the “South Metro Radio Club, because the original founding members all lived in the south metro area of the Twin Cities. Rosemount, Apple Valley, Farmington, and Lakeville.
If we can hear you, you are welcome!
The club operates a GMRS repeater and a 6 meter repeater, both located in Farmington, MN, and both fully funded and owned by Brett Jensen (Thanks Brett!) But there is more… much more! We are a group of friends with common interests in public service, amateur radio, CB, GMRS, and projects related to these interests.
While all this sounds quite serious, it is great fun! We enjoy projects that benefit all of our members. You are urged to participate in the many club activities. Get involved and make the most of your opportunity! We meet occasionally Saturday morning at 7:00 AM or so for an informal club breakfast at Perkins. Check the EVENTS PAGE. It’s open to all, and is a good opportunity to meet the gang you talk to on the repeaters.
The club conducts a weekly information net every Wednesday night on the our GMRS Repeater beginning at 7:00 PM and lasting until we tire of talking 🙂 Be sure to tune in and hear the latest club news!
Another great source of club news and information of course are the forums and events links on this website. Feel free to ask questions, and post your radio related events.
Radio Serves The Community
Amateur radio operators are the backbone of the nation’s most resilient emergency communication network
Amateur radio operators are the backbone of the nation’s most resilient emergency communication network that many people have never heard of. When catastrophic weather, natural disasters, or infrastructure failures knock out power, cell service, and the internet, these trained volunteers are the ones who get critical information flowing.
- Through organizations like SkyWarn, hams partner directly with the National Weather Service, acting as ground-truth spotters who provide real-time, lifesaving reports on tornadoes, flash floods, and severe storms, directly influencing timely warnings. If you’ve heard on the news “a trained spotter has observed…” That’s us!
- Groups like the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) create a vital bridge, providing auxiliary communications support to the Department of Defense and other government agencies in times of crisis.
- Beyond these, local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) teams are meticulously organized to support local hospitals, emergency operations centers, and first responders, ensuring that coordination and situational awareness never go silent.
This unparalleled capacity for reliable, independent communication makes the amateur radio community an indispensable, non-political force for public safety and community service.
Trained Volunteers. Resilient Communications. Essential Service – Serving as the Lifeline When All Else Fails.
The South Metro Radio Club is immensely proud of our dedicated members who volunteer their skills and time to these critical services. Their unwavering commitment to emergency communications embodies the highest ideals of amateur radio, providing a vital, reliable lifeline for our community when it needs it most. They are true heroes on the airwaves.
“The Best Part? It’s the People.” – Joe Metzler
In a world that’s more connected digitally than ever, we’ve somehow never felt more alone. That’s where this community is different.
The best part about the radio community isn’t the fancy gear, the crackle of static, or even the thrill of a long-distance contact—though those are all great.
The best part is the people.
It’s the veteran operator who spends an hour patiently walking a brand-new ham through their first antenna setup. It’s the calm, reassuring voice on the other end during a severe storm, passing along a tornado warning. It’s the spontaneous conversation with a trucker on I-35 who gives you a firsthand report on road conditions ahead. It’s the shared laugh with a stranger who becomes a friend, all because you both chose to reach out on the same frequency.
This is a community built not on algorithms, but on authenticity. Not on “likes,” but on listening. It’s a timeless fellowship of tinkerers, preppers, patriots, and neighbors who believe in self-reliance, helping others, and the sheer joy of human connection.
We are the net that holds this community together when other systems fail. We are the keepers of a tradition that values skill, character, and a willingness to serve over everything else.
That’s the best part. And it’s waiting for you.”
– Joe Metzler, N0YJJ – Founding Member
Why The South Metro Radio Club?
Be part of the community
Passionate
At the South Metro Radio Club, radio isn’t just a hobby—it’s our passion. We’re a tight-knit community of enthusiasts dedicated to the art and science of communication, from mastering the fundamentals to pushing the technical limits of the airwaves. From CB radio, GMRS, to Extra Class ham radio, all are welcome.
Professional
The South Metro Radio Club stands as the region’s premier organization for serious amateur radio operators and GMRS enthusiasts. We are defined by an unwavering commitment to technical excellence, operational discipline, and professional development. Sadly, many radio clubs have become a bunch of old crotchety closed minded people. We promise to be the opposite.
Support
But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to you.Our leadership team and member mentors are dedicated to providing a professional, structured environment where every question is welcomed and every member is supported. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward a license, building your first antenna, or preparing to serve your community during an emergency, we’re here with the expertise and encouragement to help you succeed.
Get Your Ticket and Explore The World
“Your next contact is waiting. See you on the air.”
Contact Us
Have a question about our club, our repeaters, or getting your license? Want to get us your event information to add to our event page? We’re here to help and always eager to welcome new voices to the airwaves. Reach out to us using the form below, or make contact the old-fashioned way “On The Air”. We’ll get back to you quicker than a 2-meter signal on a clear day.