BARRA Tech Net Controllers
N4NJJ
“Bill insists Cat5 is “future-proof” and swears by pliers as his crimp tool of choice. He brags his router’s been up since 2009, but really it’s because he forgot the password. His cable management system? A pile he calls “organized chaos.” Somehow it all works — and nobody dares touch it in case the magic stops.” -AI
Bill in Las Vegas, NV
Bill (N4NJJ) caught the radio bug early, earning his license in March 2005 at just 12 years old at the ARATS testing center. Since then, he’s built a reputation as both a leader and a builder in the amateur radio world. Today, he serves as President of Southern Nevada’s largest ham radio club with over 250 members, the Henderson Amateur Radio Club W7HEN, with his term concluding December 31, 2025.
Bill’s leadership has spanned multiple clubs and organizations — from his time as President of the Lancaster Amateur Radio Club (W2SO) to serving as net control for groups including the Sin City Repeater Group, Mabuhay DX Club of Nevada, Henderson Amateur Radio Club, Lancaster Amateur Radio Club, and the Amateur Radio Association of the Tonawandas. He has also served as an ARRL Assistant Section Manager and is a lifetime member of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association.
On the technical side, Bill owns and maintains an extensive repeater network that covers a massive footprint, spanning Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, Northwestern Arizona, and Southwestern Utah, from strategically positioned mountaintops that reach heights of over 10,000 feet. He calls this network the Sin City Repeater Group, and it is anchored by the “Sin City 700” atop Mount Potosi on 449.700 MHz.
Whether he’s running a net, building a repeater system, or bringing people together on the airwaves, Bill thrives on combining technical know-how with community spirit.
When he’s not on the air, Bill draws on his academic background — including a doctorate from Saint Leo University — to guide his leadership, learning, and service to the hobby he’s been passionate about since childhood. He is a non-profit executive and a professional musician based in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, please visit www.n4njj.com.
W2BYJ
“Thomas is the guy who’ll spend three hours perfectly organizing a bundle of cables with zip ties… and then trip over the one loose cord he forgot.” -AI
Thomas in the City of Tonawanda, NY
Thomas, W2BYJ, was first licensed in September 2023 under the callsign KE2BYJ before upgrading to his current call. His QTH is the City of Tonawanda, New York, and he currently holds a General Class license.
A relative newcomer to the hobby, Thomas quickly found his niche: he enjoys experimenting with solid-state analog circuits and learning the technical side of radio through hands-on tinkering. While he hasn’t yet served as a net control, he’s an enthusiastic participant in area nets and is eager to keep expanding his experience.
Thomas is an active member of the Lancaster Amateur Radio Club (W2SO), where his dedication and growth as a new ham were recognized with the 2024 “Rookie of the Year” Award. He is currently running for a seat on the W2SO Board of Directors, showing his commitment not only to operating but also to helping lead and shape the club’s future.
Outside of amateur radio, Thomas works professionally in low-voltage systems as a data infrastructure installer, a career that dovetails with his interest in radio, electronics, and communications technology.
KC2XD
Rick in the Town of Tonawanda, NY
Rick, KC2XD, was first licensed in 1982 and, after a hiatus, proudly returned to the hobby in 2023. His QTH is Tonawanda, New York, where he enjoys spending his retirement actively engaged in amateur radio.
Rick holds a 3rd Class Radiotelephone License with Broadcast Endorsement, reflecting his long-standing technical background and interest in communications. His favorite part of the hobby is operating on 444 MHz and enjoying long rag chews with fellow hams.
He is a seasoned net control operator, having served as Net Control for the Western District Traffic Net for 16 years, and previously as Net Control for the BARRA Information Net during the 1980s and early 1990s. Today, Rick continues his involvement as a dedicated member of the BARRA Special Events Team, supporting the club’s on-air activities and public outreach.
With decades of experience both on the air and behind the mic as a net control, Rick remains a respected voice in the Western New York amateur radio community.
“Rick is the kind of guy who swears he “tightened that connector” … right up until the whole rack starts humming like a beehive.” -AI
N2UGS
“You’ve got so many servers, radios, and ESP32 projects running at home that if NASA ever loses contact with the ISS, they’ll probably just reroute through your living room.” -AI
Jeremy in Williamsville, NY
Jeremy is a lifelong technology enthusiast, amateur radio operator, and problem-solver who blends creativity with deep technical know-how. From managing complex server infrastructures and custom electronics projects to building satellite-tracking systems and weather integrations, Jeremy thrives on turning ambitious ideas into real-world solutions.
An active ham radio operator (callsign N2UGS) in Western New York, Jeremy is equally at home fine-tuning antennas as he is troubleshooting Linux servers, coding ESP32 microcontrollers, or optimizing websites for SEO. His diverse skillset spans:
Amateur Radio & Communications – APRS, AllStar, ADS-B, satellite tracking, repeater systems.
Networking & Servers – Proxmox, Debian, WHM/cPanel, NGINX/Apache, cloud hosting, monitoring solutions.
Electronics & IoT – ESP32 projects, stepper motor control, custom weather displays, embedded systems.
Web & Digital Marketing – WordPress, Divi, SEO, branding, and creative content development.
Jeremy approaches every project with curiosity, persistence, and a touch of humor (the kind of guy who can make debugging a Linux log almost fun). Whether he’s engineering a new ham radio setup, building infrastructure in his homelab, or crafting a sleek website, Jeremy brings passion and precision to everything he does.
