The first club meeting was held in January 2011 with just a few members. But as the year progressed, it became apparent that a Northwest club was needed by the ham radio community. In just one year, OVARC had become the largest club in the metropolitan Tucson area.
 
OVARC exists to promote and advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. The club encourages its members to take an active part in providing service to the community in the form of emergency communications during natural and man-made disasters. By providing communications at community events such as the American Diabetes Tour de Cure, 24 Hours of the Old Pueblo bike race, and El Tour de Tucson, and by participating in club sponsored operating events like Field Day, the Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club provides its members with opportunities to enhance their operating skills and understanding of emergency procedures.
 
New ham training allows additional members of the community to become involved in emergency communications and technology discussions at club meetings, which helps hams become better equipped to operate during emergency situations. OVARC has partnered with the Oro Valley Citizen Corp Council and Oro Valley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), both sponsored by the Oro Valley Police Department, to ensure consistent communications with other groups involved in community emergency communications events.