In 1991, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group held its first Field Day event at Dacus Lake. The weekend proved to be a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Although Gregg Boss (WA8VFU now KI5XV) suffered the unfortunate loss of a Kenwood TS-440 when it was damaged during the event, the group’s enthusiasm remained high.

Despite being a newly formed organization participating in its first ARRL Field Day, the team successfully made an impressive number of contacts throughout the weekend. Since this was our inaugural Field Day operation, we ultimately decided not to submit our contact logs to the ARRL for official scoring. Looking back, had we chosen to enter our results, we likely would have finished among the top ten stations in the 1A Arkansas category.

More importantly, the event provided valuable operating experience, strengthened friendships, and established a tradition of Field Day participation that would continue for years to come.

Once upon a Bus

The Driven Elements Mobile Communications Unit

In 1992, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group was donated a retired school bus by the now-defunct Arkansas Tennessee Radio Amateurs (ATRA). The bus had originally been donated to ATRA by the Marion School District for use as a mobile communications and emergency command center. Unfortunately, before any work could begin on the project, ATRA disbanded.

Upon the dissolution of ATRA, the bus was turned over to Carl Richardson (KB5FJX, now K5CWR) by Don Currie (N5MNP), the organization’s last acting Emergency Coordinator.

Determined to bring the project to life, Carl joined forces with John Ed Farris (N5VJZ), Phillip Farris (KA5YDY, now AB5BC), Terry Roberts (KA5QMC), and several other local amateur radio operators. Together, they invested countless hours transforming the bus into a functional emergency communications vehicle.

The interior was completely gutted and rebuilt to include multiple radio operating positions, equipment storage areas, and a combination sleeping and meeting space. The exterior was repainted, and the vehicle was outfitted for deployment during emergencies where ARES and RACES communications support might be required.

Despite the dedication and hard work of the volunteers, the mobile communications unit was never placed into active service. Efforts to secure support from local and county governments—including obtaining insurance coverage necessary for emergency deployment—were unsuccessful. As a result, the bus remained parked and unused.

Today, the vehicle still exists, but years of inactivity have left it in need of significant mechanical restoration before it could once again serve its intended purpose. While it is disappointing that the project never fulfilled its original mission, it remains a testament to the commitment, vision, and volunteer spirit of the amateur radio operators who worked tirelessly to create a valuable emergency communications resource for their community.

Although the bus never saw operational service, the project demonstrated what can be accomplished when dedicated amateur radio operators come together with a common goal: serving their communities during times of need.

1991 – Year One
Carl Richardson – President
John Ed Farris – Vice President

1992 – Year Two
Carl Richardson – President
John Ed Farris – Vice President

1993 – Year Three
John Ed Farris – President
Carl Richardson – Vice President

Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group History

Special Event Station a Great Success

On July 4, 1994, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group (DEARG) operated its first Special Event Station at Dacus Lake, Arkansas. The event commemorated a memorial being erected by the City of West Memphis to honor the Mid-South servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in our nation’s wars.

The event proved to be a tremendous success. Operators made an impressive number of contacts throughout the day, helping to spread awareness of the memorial while showcasing the capabilities of Amateur Radio. The experience also demonstrated DEARG’s commitment to public service and community involvement and marked the beginning of many successful special event operations to come.

Emergency Communications Training

Emergency communications and public service have always been at the heart of the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group.

Over the years, John Ed Farris (N5VJZ), Gregg Boss (KI5XV), Carl Richardson (KB5FJX, now K5CWR), and Sam Lehman (K5VBF) dedicated countless hours to training DEARG members in the proper handling of emergency traffic and message passing procedures. Members were taught not only how to send and receive emergency messages accurately, but also how to conduct themselves professionally during emergency operations.

The group regularly organized Simulated Emergency Tests (SETs), allowing members to gain valuable hands-on experience in realistic emergency scenarios. These exercises helped prepare operators for actual disasters and emergency situations where Amateur Radio communications might be needed.

In addition, DEARG worked closely with the National Weather Service to ensure local Amateur Radio operators received severe weather spotting training. This training helped participants recognize dangerous weather conditions, report them accurately, and understand when to seek safety themselves.

The knowledge gained through these training programs has benefited countless operators over the years and has helped strengthen emergency preparedness throughout the region. It is our hope that the lessons learned continue to serve our members and communities and may one day help save lives.

1998 Special Event Station – K5M

In May 1998, DEARG operated Special Event Station K5M during the Marion, Arkansas Esperanza Bonanza Festival. The event, known throughout the Mid-South as one of the final major barbecue competitions before the prestigious Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, attracted visitors from across the region.

DEARG’s special event station generated numerous contacts and provided an enjoyable experience for all participants. The operation also served as an excellent opportunity to promote Amateur Radio to the public and demonstrate its many uses.

The Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group would like to thank everyone who contacted K5M during the event. We look forward to working many of you again on the air.

Officers and Leadership History

Year Four – 1994

Jeff Crum – President (Resigned February 1994)
Gene Bagley – Vice President (Resigned February 1994)
Carl Richardson – Assumed Office of President (March 1994)
John Ed Farris – Assumed Office of Vice President (March 1994)

Year Five – 1995

Gregg Boss – President
John Ed Farris – Vice President

Year Six – 1996

Rocky Brockwell – President
John Ed Farris – Vice President

Year Seven – 1997

Ronald Dewayne Grant II – President
Lee Hogan – Vice President

Year Eight – 1998

Jeff Crum – President (Resigned August 1998)
Carl Richardson – Vice President (Resigned July 1998)
Heather Hinds – Security/Treasurer (Resigned July 1998)

Expansion into Northeast Arkansas

Years Nine and Ten – 1999 to September 2001

Smithville, Arkansas Chapter

In 1999, DEARG reached a major milestone by expanding its operations into Northeast Arkansas. While continuing its presence in West Memphis, the group established a second chapter in Smithville, providing Amateur Radio operators in the area with opportunities for training, fellowship, emergency preparedness, and public service.

Smithville Leadership

Carl Richardson – Director (Assumed Office September 1998)
Heather Hinds – Reflector (Assumed Office September 1998)
Pam Boss – Collector (Assumed Office January 1999)
Marie Boss – Historian (Assumed Office January 1999)

West Memphis Leadership

John Ed Farris – Director (Assumed Office September 1998)
Gregg Boss – Reflector (Assumed Office September 1998)
Pam Boss – Collector (Assumed Office January 1999)
Marie Boss – Historian (Assumed Office January 1999)

The officers were scheduled to serve through 2002.

Leadership: September 2001 – December 2002

Darran Cloud – Director
Marie Boss – Reflector
Pam Boss – Collector
Gregg Boss – Historian

These officers were elected in September 2001 and served through December 2002.

Leadership: January 2002 – December 2003

Carl Richardson – Director (Appointed)
Heather Hinds – Reflector (Appointed)
Pam Boss – Collector (Appointed)
Gregg Boss – Historian (Appointed)

These officers were appointed to serve through December 2003.

Leadership: January 2003 – December 2004

Josh Stark – Director (Appointed)
Darran Cloud – Reflector (Appointed)
Pam Boss – Collector (Appointed)
Gregg Boss – Historian (Appointed)

These officers served through December 2004.

Leadership: January 2004 – December 2004

Carl Richardson – Director
Vance Morgan – Reflector
Heather Hinds – Collector and Historian

These officers served through December 2004.

Leaders: January 2005 – December 2019

Carl Richardson – Director
Vance Morgan – Reflector
Philip Farris – Collector
Kelly Farris – Historian

These members will hold office through December 2019.

Leaders: January 2019 – December 2021

Carl Richardson – Director
Mike Pinkston – Reflector
Kerry Ludwig
Kenny Thompson

DEARG at Beatles on the Ridge 2019

At the 2019 Beatles on the Ridge Festival, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group (DEARG) set up a special exhibit booth to demonstrate the many aspects of Amateur Radio to festival attendees. The exhibit was staffed by DEARG members Carl Richardson (K5CWR), Mike Pinkston (W5MDP), and Kerry Ludwig (KF5YQW), who spent the day sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the hobby with visitors.

The event attracted an outstanding crowd, providing an excellent opportunity to introduce people to amateur radio communications, emergency communications capabilities, and the many educational and public service benefits that Amateur Radio offers. Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to learn about radio equipment, operating procedures, and the important role amateur radio operators play during emergencies and community events.

The turnout was exceptional, and DEARG members enjoyed meeting people from across the region, answering questions, and promoting the Amateur Radio service. The event proved to be both enjoyable and successful, helping to increase public awareness of Amateur Radio while creating lasting memories for everyone involved.

The Beatles on the Ridge event was another example of DEARG’s ongoing commitment to public education, community service, and keeping the spirit of Amateur Radio alive for future generations.

Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group Presentation at ATF Martial Arts School – 2020

In 2020, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group was invited to present a program on Amateur Radio at the ATF Martial Arts School. The presentation was designed to introduce students and members of the school to the world of Amateur Radio, its many uses, and its importance during emergencies and disasters when other forms of communication may fail.

The program was led by Mike Pinkston (W5MDP), who provided an informative and engaging overview of Amateur Radio operations, licensing, equipment, and emergency communications. Assisting with the presentation were Kerry Ludwig (KF5YQW) and Carl Richardson (K5CWR), who helped answer questions from attendees and shared their own experiences in the Amateur Radio hobby.

The presentation generated considerable interest among those attending, and participants had the opportunity to learn how Amateur Radio operators provide valuable communications support during emergencies, public service events, and community activities. The event was a great success and helped promote awareness of Amateur Radio within the local community while furthering the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group’s mission of education, training, and public service.

North Arkansas Hospital Coalition Communications Project – 2020

In 2020, members of the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group (DEARG) assisted the North Arkansas Hospital Coalition with the installation, configuration, and testing of emergency communications equipment designed to provide reliable backup communications during disasters and other emergency situations.

DEARG members Carl Richardson (K5CWR), Mike Pinkston (W5MDP), and Kerry Ludwig (KF5YQW) played key roles in the project, helping deploy communications systems at hospitals and medical facilities throughout eastern and northeastern Arkansas. Installations were completed at locations stretching from Helena, Arkansas, in the south, to Blytheville, Arkansas, in the north, with additional sites including Walnut Ridge, Jonesboro, and numerous other communities across the region.

The system utilized Icom D-STAR® digital amateur radio equipment integrated with computers running D-RATS software. This combination provided hospitals with a versatile emergency communications platform capable of supporting both voice communications and digital data exchange. Through the D-RATS network, participating facilities could send and receive messages, forms, documents, and other critical information when traditional communications systems were unavailable or overloaded.

The project significantly enhanced emergency preparedness by creating a statewide amateur radio communications network linking hospitals and healthcare organizations across Arkansas. This network provides an additional layer of resilience for healthcare providers during severe weather events, natural disasters, and other emergencies where dependable communications are essential to patient care and resource coordination.

The successful deployment of this system demonstrated the value of Amateur Radio operators in supporting public service and emergency management efforts, while showcasing the technical expertise and dedication of the members of the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group.

Continued Service and Emergency Communications Efforts

Since 2020, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group has continued its commitment to providing emergency communications support throughout Northeast Arkansas. The group’s focus remains on preparedness, training, and ensuring reliable communications are available when traditional systems fail during emergencies and disasters.

In 2019, Carl Richardson (K5CWR) successfully completed the AUXCOMM (Auxiliary Communications) course conducted at the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas. This advanced training further strengthened the group’s ability to work alongside public safety agencies and emergency management organizations during times of need.

Although Carl has faced health challenges in recent years, he remains active in amateur radio and emergency communications whenever possible. Along with longtime members including Vance Morgan N5HNY, Perry Hutton KI5HPB, and others, he continues to support emergency preparedness efforts across the region.

Members of the group have also completed extensive Incident Command System (ICS) training, including ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800 courses. Several members have gone on to complete additional advanced ICS and emergency management training. This education helps ensure that group members can effectively integrate into local, county, state, and federal emergency response operations when called upon.

Working closely with members of the Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club and other amateur radio operators throughout the region, the group remains dedicated to maintaining the skills, equipment, and coordination necessary to provide communications support during natural disasters, severe weather events, public service events, and other emergencies across Northeast Arkansas. Through regular training, cooperation, and preparedness activities, these operators stand ready to assist their communities whenever reliable communications are needed most.

Today, the spirit upon which the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group was founded in 1991 continues through the dedication of its members. More than three decades later, the organization’s commitment to emergency communications, public service, technical education, and amateur radio fellowship remains as strong as ever. Their continued efforts help ensure that Northeast Arkansas has a capable and trained volunteer communications resource available when disaster strikes and normal communications systems become compromised.

Leaders: January 2021 – December 2026

Carl Richardson – Director
Vance Morgan – Reflector
Philip Farris – Collector
Kelly Farris – Reflector

A Growing Legacy

From its founding in West Memphis in 1991, the Driven Elements Amateur Radio Group built a reputation for excellence in emergency communications, public service, training, technical education, and community involvement. Through special event stations, emergency preparedness exercises, weather spotting programs, antenna-building projects, and hands-on training classes, DEARG helped develop skilled Amateur Radio operators throughout Northeast Arkansas.

The group’s expansion into Smithville demonstrated its commitment to serving a broader region while maintaining the values upon which it was founded. The dedication of its members and leaders helped create an organization that remains an important part of Amateur Radio history in Arkansas.