Organization and formation information can be found at About Us.
What is CRHRC?
Cross Roads Ham Radio Club (CRHRC) located in Jackson County, Texas has been created exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our primary purpose is to promote interest and education of Amateur Radio and to encourage proper operation in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
The CRHRC and its members shall voluntarily furnish, when possible, skill and equipment to enable its networks to be ready and available to provide emergency and disaster communications as a public service benefitting the public welfare of our communities.
The CRHRC will support and cooperate with local and county Emergency Management Departments, and other welfare or charitable organizations recognized and approved by the Board of Directors.
Where is Jackson County, Texas?
Jackson County, Texas is located approximately 100 miles from each of Houston, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. We are 35 miles inland from the Texas Gulf Coast, north of Port Lavaca.
Our major roadways are US Hwy 59 / 69, TX Hwy 35, TX Hwy 111 and TX Hwy 172 (see Jackson County on Google Maps.)
We are home to Lake Texana and two of the most amazing camping facilities you will find in Texas: Brackenridge Park and Campground and Texana Park and Campground, both operated by Lavaca Navidad River Authority.
Click here to see Jackson County in Google Maps.
Our Beginnings:
In September of 2020, one of our founding members was discussing area amateur radio repeaters with members of the Victoria Amateur Radio Club (VARC), when they let him know that there were no active amateur radio repeaters in Jackson County, Texas. This lack of repeaters had created a void in amateur radio coverage and communications in the Golden Crescent Region of Texas. In the spirit of amateur radio and with a friendly nudge, they challenged him to see what he could do about that.
Our member quickly contacted a small handful of Amateur Radio operators who were each very seriously engaged in the hobby.
On October 14th of the same year, Cross Roads Ham Radio Club (CRHRC) was officially formed as a Texas Non-Profit Corporation. That same month, we turned up two repeaters:
VHF repeater 145.330 Mhz (103.5 PL) on a 500′ tower, and
UHF repeater 444.500 Mhz (103.5 PL) at a test location.
On December 9th, 2020 we received our club call sign of KI5MLH. We immediately applied for a vanity call sign and on December 29th, 2020 our club call sign was updated to W5LCR.
The members from Victoria Amateur Radio Club who originally issued the “challenge” summed it up really well when they stated, “It is amazing what a small handful of motivated amateur radio operators can accomplish in a short time frame!
Our Club Call Sign – W5LCR
When a new Amateur Radio club forms, many will choose to honor a person who had an impact on amateur radio within the local community. In Jackson County, Paul Dittrich was such a man.
[February 4, 2014] Paul Dittrich,97, was born 18 February 1916 to William and Julia (Beran) Dittrich in Lytton Springs, Caldwwell County, TX. In 1918 the family moved to their farm in the Cordele Community, where he attended school in the two-room schoolhouse in Lower Cordele.
In 1936 he joined the CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS. He was stationed in Bastrop, Texas and Ten Sleep, Wyoming. After serving about one year, he was discharged from The Corp and returned to the family farm in Cordele.
In 1940 he joined the U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS at FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS. After serving in several Army Posts in the States his company was shipped overseas in 1943. His SIGNAL COMPANY mad the Amphibious Invasion in SCICILY, in SALERNO, ITALY at ANZIO, ITALY and Southern France. While serving with the Seventh Army in France he received a Battle Field Commission to 2nd Lt. in 1944. After the war ended, he returned to the States in November 1945.
After being separated from the service he was employed as a radio technician for several companies, eventually he owned and operated a radio and television business until his retirement in 1988. For most of his adult life, he was an Amateur Radio Operator, with the call sign W5LCR.
In 1951 he married Anita DeBord. They had no children. He was a member of the Methodist Church, an active member of the Edna Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, he was a life member of the American Legion Post 346 in Ganado, he was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8556 in Lolita. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife Anita, his parents, his infant sister, Bessie Dittrich, his sisters: Mary Quarles, Lucy Calcote, and Minnie Sowell. His brothers: John Dittrich, Henry Dittrich and Alvin Dittrich. Paul was survived by two sisters; Carlee Larkin and Claudine Dittrich, and his three special friends that took great care of him; Mary Lee, Linda and Dale.
Honorary Pallbearers were the members of the Edna Volunteer Fire Department.
Military honors were provided by the Ganado American Legion Post #346.