POTA Saturday Aug. 2 at Wilder Ranch State Park
The August 2 Parks On The Air (POTA) was a great success. Maybe not that many contacts but a good learning experience in the art of radio operation. I was very impressed with the team work that goes into ham radio. My homemade kluge “Performer Antenna” surprisingly worked quite well. Thanks to Pete helping me with the antenna and lending me a battery. Andrew and Tim letting use their radios. Bruce was our POTA the staff photographer.
Ron K6EXT
Club Meeting Aug 15 – Collinear Talk
Our guest speaker for the August meeting will be Ed Fong (WB6IQN). His talk this month will be the DBJ-GMRS 5dB gain base antenna (US patent – 2,124,424). A HAM version is also available. This antenna was featured in CQ Magazin in Summer of 2012. The DBJ-GMRS is a highly effective 5dB base antenna at only 37 inches tall and no radials. There have been over 8,000 sold since its introduction ten years ago. It requires no radials and is a DC shorted design so no lightning arrestor is needed.
Ed will give a history on how these antennas were developed and the theory on how and why they work so well. There is no “black magic” to antennas. He will explain in a non-mathematical manner to convince you for overall performance and simplicity his approach is one of the most practical.
The SCCARC Meets at 7:00PM, on the THIRD FRIDAY of the each month (except December). We also host the traditional zoom meeting at the same time.
Location: La Posada Retirement Community Lounge
609 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, CA
Below is the zoom link to our club meetings on the 3rd Friday this year.
Except for any changes from our president Ben, KN6NDM, the meeting will
remain hybrid–both in-person at La Posada (details on the k6BJ web page) and by zoom at the following link:
Zoom Link for meeting and map for-person meeting
Swap Meet Aug 16
Swap Meet will be located at the parking lot past the gate to Shakespeare Santa Cruz, next to the club repeater. Bring you goodies to swap. IT’S FUN. There will not be a barbecue this swap. Donuts and coffee made available courtesy Betsy
Hot Rods on the Green
Hot Rods on the Green car event took place this Saturday 4/7 at Twin Lakes Church. Our club had a booth promoting and demonstrating our radio skills.. I was surprised by the number of visitors that stopped by and were interested in getting their license.
Field Day 2025 at Par 3 in Aptos
The 2025 summer Field Day event after action report. We were prepared and lucky..
This year, we were lucky that the Par 3 Field was leveled by the construction company. In years past, it was lumpy in spots. This location is closer to the city and allowed more people to visit the event.
We were lucky to have experienced Station Captains, who came well prepared for Field Day. The stations builds went smoothly. They showed skill operating. The captains were generous in sharing their stations with their assistant cooperators. These assistant operators will carry this event into the future.
We were lucky that the weather was very nice this past weekend. In years past, we were baked to the point of delirium.
We were lucky that the bands were open . Shortly before and afterwards the bands were worse.
We had a nice group of new people and returning hams visiting. We didn’t get over-run as we’ve seen in prior years.
I am grateful we went through the event without any injuries or mishaps.
The ARRL asked for classes. We had experienced teachers come forward to teach. During class time, I was amused to see that the teachers were having as much fun as the students. I commend all the teachers. I thought Michael’s class on Fox/Hound was very creative. We had students all over the field searching for the fox.
I checked with the ARRL. In the nation, there were only two clubs that put-on classes. We were one of them. I wish to thank Ben for managing the classroom effort.
We were better prepared for the meals. Gerry was generous making breakfast for the early morning group. We are grateful for Gerry’s sons for making up lunch for our group. The BBQ for principal operators was a nice touch and well deserved.
I wish to thank Lisa and others for taking the pictures to preserve our efforts.
In the planning stages, several of our principal operators were away. And, we didn’t see many station helpers available. This caused some anxiety. We were lucky to have experienced hams step forward to fill the void. Ron, Rusty, Andrew, Tom,George Chris and several others came to the event to help the Station Captains. We were lucky to have them. They had an important role in this effort.
If you look at the other Field Day events, many were just two people out in the park, who went home that night. We had one of the few large events.
All in all, I believe our FD event was a good as we could manage. We can discuss this further, to refine our planning for this coming Winter Field Day.
– Craig N6SWB
Link to >>> Field Day 2025 Photos
Loft Coffee Wednesday 6/4
Thoughts on Field Day 2025
The water Dept has put a large pile of Water pipes down where the Digi station was. They say it will be gone by SFD. We’ll see.
This year, we will offer scheduled classes throughout the “public day”, Saturday 8 to 4. We are hoping to get some of our (reclusive) experts to come out and give short basic lessons to our newer hams. I think it will be quite a draw. This will be independent of the teams doing CW, Phone and Digi. Having classes at WFD was quite a sensation on the FD Facebook page. We lead the nation in this regard.
We are planning on having a Starlink broadcasting a WIFI signal across the FD site. Having a reliable internet connection should help.
The Par3 Field doesn’t lend itself to teaching. We’re exploring the idea of having a private vendor come out and setting up, and taking down a large tent.
At one point, Jim wanted the Fire Dept to give a presentation. Their talk could be schedule class as a class presentation.
Rich Muller had an interesting story about tracking down power line noise. Don, GHA, would give a short talk on Contesting. (ETC). I could give a short talk on HF SSTV. I think we could squeeze in a number of short, interesting talks. (Points for keeping them laughing) It will be nice stepping away from our stations for 30 minutes to talk. Rich and I will have assistants running our stations when we give our talks.
We’ll bring more staffing to bear during the Saturday lunch. I still like the ideas of Tacos. They are cheap and quickly made. We could feed quite a few visitors. Saturday evening will be the same as WFD, probably catered BBQ for our operators.
We need a gifted person to draw up a FD flier. We don’t have our teachers lined up, but we could advertise “Classes on the 30 minutes” (or hour)
The attached document will be a sign up sheet. Rich Cannings will put it online. We’re still soliciting for people to fill our key positions. Most people who I’ve talked with are willing to lend a hand.
There is plenty of room for discussions on these ideas.
Craig N6SWB
SCCARC 100th Anniversary Revisited
I found a bunch of photographs taken by Bob K6XX at our 100th anniversary. The 100th Anniversary Event took place at the Santa Cruz Art and History Museum on September 17, 2016. According to Cap’s records our club had their first meeting in Santa Cruz County on February 3, 1916.
Winter Field Day 2025
Our team captains and assistants worked through the day (Friday) on setting our WFD station. The antennas were challenging this year. Come and participate at the “Sheriff’s Posse Grounds” on Ocean Street Extension. Join us from 10 am to 2 pm for guests and visitors!
Craig, N6SBN
Click here >>> Link to Winter FD photos
KJ6ER on Portable Antennas
Links to KJ6ER publications:
Antenna Primer
Performer Antenna
Dominator Halfwave Antenna
Dominator Vertical Antenna
SCCARC Holiday Party / Installation of Club Officers
The club had a great Holiday Party and gift swap at a new location, Bangkok West Thai Restaurant in Aptos. [link to more photos]
Dear Fellow Ham Radio Enthusiasts,
As we gather our antennas and tune our frequencies, we find ourselves at the close of another remarkable year. It’s time to celebrate not only the season but also the incredible community we’ve built through the magic of radio waves.
From one ham to another, we wish you a Merry Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family and friends. Whether you’re spending your holiday tuning into distant signals or enjoying the crackle of a local net, may your days be merry and bright.
As we look forward to the New Year, we’re excited about the adventures that await us. Let’s anticipate more DXing, more contests, and more opportunities to share our passion for ham radio. Here’s to a Happy New Year where we continue to expand our knowledge, our friendships, and our reach across the globe.
We’re grateful for each one of you, for the moments shared over the airwaves, for the technical help, the laughter, and the stories exchanged. Your dedication to this hobby lights up our community like the stars in a winter night sky.
Please enjoy this holiday season, take some time for yourself, and recharge those batteries (both literally and figuratively)! We can’t wait to hear your signals again in the New Year, stronger and clearer than ever.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the SCCARC Board members. May your frequencies be clear, your signals strong, and your hearts full.
73,
Ben
KN6NDM
SCCARC President 2025
Our new SCCARC Board Members
Please allow me to congratulate our club officers for the 2024-2025 year.
We had a solid quorum with 11 in person voters and at least 20 attending on zoom. The result was by acclamation with all votes “for all of the above candidates”.
With the exception of Rich, W6RGC, who will be remaining on the board for his second year as our Treasurer, I plan to install the new officers at our holiday party on December 18th. They will serve from then until Mid December 2025.
President Ben KN6NDM
Vice President Jim KN6NCG
Secretary Lisa KN6IAB
Treasurer Rich W6RCG (2nd year)
At-large Board Andrew KM6YDJ
At-large Board Martin KN6GWQ
We are lucky to have the above members willing, able and well qualified to guide our club affairs in the coming year. So, please join me in thanking them for their willingness to serve. And I know you will support them in their work.
73, Jerry Lucha W6OJE
SCCARC outgoing president
Field Day in Review 2024
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FD on KSBW TV YouTube link here
You will have to turn your volume way up to hear the audio.
Rob Brownstein K6RB on CW Skills
Rob Brownstein K6RB BIO.
I was first licensed in June 1958 as KN2UMU at age 11. In April 1959 I passed my general and became K2UMU. I upgraded to extra class in 1970, then moved to California in 1973. My call sign was changed to NS6V in 1982, and to K6RB in 1997. I am primarily a CW operator spending about half my time rag chewing, and the other half, contesting with a modest station. I am a member of CWops, the Northern California Contest Club (NCCC), and FOC.
Giving Back…
These days in addition to the usual activities, I help hams acquire and/or improve their CW skills. The CW Operators club (CWops) sponsors a three-time-per-year CW training program. I volunteer as an advisor to a group of students each of the three semesters. The program has become very popular. Information is available at https://cwops.org/cw-academy/ . In addition, since January 1 2020, several operators in various time zones get on 40 and/or 80 meters, at 7 PM local, between 7.035 and 7.045 and/or 3.535 and 3.545, operating at 15-20 wpm, and offer QSO practice to those who want to improve their CW skills. They will be heard calling CQ and adding “GB” after their callsign sequence. That will identify those operators as volunteers who are there to offer QSO practice. My sked is Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 7 PM local (PT or PDT). The schedule for others can be found at https://cwops.org/giving back/ .
SCCARC Winter Field Day
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Jerry, Jim, John and I had a site visit at the Aptos Grange. The Grange is a big multipurpose building on Mar Vista, next to the freeway. We found suitable places for antennas across the back and freeway sides of the building. There was quite a bit of space inside which included a kitchen and bathrooms. The price was manageable. The Grange is available on Saturday the 27th. We hope to put on a club Winter Field Day event at that location. I would hope that club members would find time to stop by and visit.
We discussed the scope of the Winter Field Day event. The Grange is occupied on Sunday. We decided that we would make the event a Saturday only event. The lunch and dinner would be potluck. Interested operators were Gerry and John D on GOTA and Phone. Craig and Jason will set a Digi station. Jim was going to set a VHF/Vara. Mike may try Satellite.
In my case, I’m glad for all the walk in visitors with Digi experience. They would be welcome to try their hand at PSK. (Jeez, let me have a break). We have openings for QRP. If you want to try this, give us a call.
It’s a good idea to look at the Winter Field day rules. For example, they don’t allow FT8. They said this mode was not suitable for emergency traffic. The message handling is different from the summer FD message. The rules can be found at https://winterfieldday.org/
When talking about this event, it will be more like our previous one day, Lighthouse activation events. The antennas and stations will be smaller and more portable. We’ll be inside to protect operators and the public from the weather. We would streamline the setup, meals, power to keep the event manageable. The plans are still in flux. operators are bringing better ideas every day. As mentioned above, the event will not get too large or ungainly. The aim is towards a basic, portable, streamlined event. I would hope that we get visitors like we had at the popular K6BJ swap meet events.
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A worldwide collection of QSL cards from Cecilia Huntoon a SWL (shortwave listener)
https://k6bj.org/wordpress/archives/5659