Welcome to the Olympia Amateur Radio Society (OARS)! We are an ARRL special services club and a proud 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the exciting hobby of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) throughout Olympia, WA, and greater Thurston County.  

Our mission is captured in our simple tagline: "Hams Helping Hams."

Serving Our Community:

OARS is more than just a radio club; we are a vital part of the community's communication infrastructure. We are closely affiliated with Thurston County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), and our members routinely provide essential communications support for public service events. When reliable communication is crucial, you'll find us supporting events like the MS Walk, the Capital City Marathon, local road rallys, various community public festivals, and Scout night hikes.  

Get Licensed, Learn, and Connect: 

We believe in making the world of Ham Radio accessible to everyone. We host engaging and informative quality education programs at every monthly meeting. You do not have to be a member to attend—all are welcome!  

Monthly Meetings:

Join us for our general meeting at 7:00 PM on the third Wednesday of every month. We are currently meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Olympia, Washington. For the most up-to-date schedule and room details, please check our main web page.

Licensing Exams:

Ready to get your license? Testing sessions are held on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:00 PM, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Olympia, Wa.  Please see our web page for more information.

Stay Connected:

OARS operates 3 linked repeaters to keep the local Ham community in touch. You can find all the necessary frequencies and technical details right here on our website.   For the most up-to-date meeting locations, licensing schedules, and repeater information, please refer to our main page.  

We look forward to a QSO with you!