SCCARC – Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Club

POTA Twin Lakes May 2

This Saturday is time for another (Club) Pota activation. With the changeable weather, I’m suggesting that we go to Twin Lakes. This location is behind the Simpkins Swim center on 7th ave. This spot will protect the group from the winds that come up along the coast. The first two rows of parking along the field are within the park boundaries. The antennas will need to be smaller to fit in the medians between parking areas. I recommend the very capable ground plane, whip antennas. The sun has been very active the last few weeks. The CMEs have caused several radio black outs. Check the solar weather before you go. https://prop.kc2g.com

Let’s Start Planning Field Day 26

Club members are starting to ask about our Summer Field Day plans. The SLV/SCARC leadership core is assembling a plan, that will be very similar to last years (successful) event (at the PAR 3 property). The purpose of this document is to offer a starting point. Locations and operations are still fluid at this point.

There was some feedback suggesting that we find a different FD site. The traffic noise at the PAR3 is a bit much. Our leadership team is looking at other sites. We reached out to the Monterey Bay Academy. We’ll know in a week or so whether this site is available. If you know of a large field that we can operate Field Day, please let us know. Field Day sites are hard to come by.

The leadership group is starting to assemble 1) Team Captains for the CW, Phone, Digi, FM and Satelite modes. These are important people who manage the setup, operation and safety of the mentioned stations. One of the challenges is identifying “Station” assistant builders/Operators. Last year we did well setting up and breaking down. During the event, the volunteer operators were 10 deep during certain times. And the station was unattended the other times. We hope to spread out the operators. Night shift operators are a rare commodity. Sign up lists are being generated. I suggested contacting the Station Captains directly as well.

Personally, I’ve been doing the Digi station for 25 years. I would enjoy being captain of the Phone station this year.

The club will need a Safety officer, who will walk the grounds ensuring that good station building, antenna raising practices are being followed. Hard hats need to be worn and fire extinguishers distributed. Stations should all have first aid kits. Nothing can ruin a “good time” faster than have an injury during our event.

In the past, we used gasoline generators and massive aluminum antennas. People are now using lithium batteries to power their stations and lighter antennas. Be sure to know what your batteries can handle.

The public will be invited on Saturday. The other times will be limited to the listed Captains and assistant builders/operators.

In the past, volunteers have made breakfast for the members Saturday and Sunday mornings. We have cooked hot dogs at lunch time for the public Saturday. Tacos may be an option. Saturday evening is a busy time. The club usually caters in a meal for the principal Captains/assistant operators.

We offered a training tent where classes were held. Senior club members from ARES and the club gave short presentations. These were well received. We should be able to offer a few classes. If you are excited about a ham related subject, let us know, you can be a teacher.

When the plan is sound, at the attending builders are operating safely, all five stations go up quickly and professionally. The club manager will be walking the field “Ironing out” problems, ensuring that the build is going safely. The manager may direct resources to problem areas. In the past, the great minds in this club have brought their expertise to bear on Computer, Software and Power supply issues. These are all devices that work perfectly in testing at home, and decide to go buggy once in the field.

We have been doing Field Day for many years and with good organization and management, we will continue to do Field Day for many years. It is a fun event.

Craig Capitola Village N6SBN

Monthly Club Meeting Speaker – Martin KN6GWQ on Meshcore

The Guest speaker for this coming SCCARC Monthly Club Meeting will be Martin KN6GWQ. The topic will be about Meshcore.

Jim KN6NCG will also give a short speech on the upcoming Sea Otter Classic ARES Event.

Here is a link for more information about the club meetings and how to attend them: https://k6bj.org/wordpress/club-meeting-membership

April POTA

The weather has cleared and it’s time for our SCCARC/SLV club Pota, this Saturday the 4th.. Randal McCune and Paul Karz will be opening the Castro Adobe SP for our club. Both are aspiring ham operators. Potas are a nice way to get out of the house and practice radio in the field.

As with any club outing, we may have multiple stations running. We should exercise good communications with each other to achieve band sharing . This will avoid interference. Fortunately, 10, 15, 17 and 20 have been working recently. If you have a problem, talk with your fellow operators. You will usually find a band that is not being used. Change up your antenna, check your frequency, spot yourself and jump on that unused band. Operators who both want to run on 20 meters, may operate and the top and bottom of the bands, then pray their radios will be selective. Bottom line “TALK TO ONE ANOTHER”.
Club Pota’s are training events to share ideas on equipment, operating, band sharing and logging. Newer ops will have assistance of senior operators. The goal is to iron out problem areas and become better operators. This training has helped us build stronger Field operators. I’m sure Summer Field Day will benefit.

I’ve packed my field kitchen and will make an effort to make tacos at lunch.

Previously, the newer ops have struggled with their antennas, logging and the pota exchange. Study your antenna analyzer, your logging program, coax, antennas etc prior to the event. With each Pota, our club members are getting better.

Pota is not a contest, though, having 5 stations trying to reach you at the same time makes if feel like a contest. Activators need to voice a quick, smooth exchange, a pleasant “Thanks for hunting”, then moving on to the next 4 operators.

Monthly Club Meeting – KO6BTX on building an MMDVM Hotspot

Tom listened to shortwave radio as a child but didn’t get licensed as a Ham until October 2023, upgrading to General Class in September 2024 to participate in the solar max on HF. He retired from a 41 year career in computer hardware and software engineering in 2022, and now teaches python programming in an online coding school. Tom is currently president of the Loma Prieta Amateur Radio Club (LPARC). Favorite activities in ham radio include participating in emergency communication exercises, event support, POTA and DX.

March POTA at Seacliff SP

Last Saturday the SCCARC met at Seacliff State Beach for the monthly POTA event.

There was a large turnout and at least five HF phone stations were deployed. It was reported Keenan K6MML had 72 contacts of both phone and CW. Jim, KN6NCG and Craig, N6SBN and Tom, KO6BTX were among the group of operators who set stations up. Craig cooked up some excellent hot dogs.

Also there was a contingent of Meshcore enthusiasts including Ned N6ZOZ, John N5HPB and even Dave WB6DWP, who had a node in his pocket. Ron K6EXT brought his handmade yagi antenna and it worked beautifully. He had many successful pings aiming it at area Meshcore repeaters. Mike, W6MLB assisted with an extendable mast from his truck.

It was a perfect sunny day, not too much wind and a very comfortable temperature. Fun was had by all who attended.

Andrew, N6AAG

Welcome to the club

Welcome to the club. Thank you for keeping our club thriving for 110 years since our
founding!

Read on to (re)acquaint yourself with the club.

How to get evolved

The most common ways members communicate with each other is on K6BJ (146.790-,
94.8 PL) and online, using our email reflector at https://k6bj.groups.io/, but those are
just two of many ways club members connect. Here are more ways to get involved:

On the air

In our Monterey Bay VHF/UHF region there are many nets. They often occur on our
club’s VHF repeater, K6BJ at 146.790 MHz output, 146.190 MHz input, with a
PL/CTCSS tone of 94.8 Hz, or channel 6 on the XCZCOMM frequency list
at https://xczcomm.com/index.php/frequency-list/

To read the full Welcome Letter that includes activities and frequency listed in the Monterey Bay Area. Click on this link.Welcome to SCCARC & K6BJ

Xmas Party ‘25

Our Christmas party was held this Sunday December 7 at the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Posse House. We had a great potluck with good food and cheer.

Click here to see the 2025 Xmas Party

SAR Bonny Doon

Santa Cruz ARES was activated by the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue organization for a missing person, Jeannie Burke.

Click here for Bonny Doon SAR story and pictures

New Board for SCCARC for 2026

Officers for next year’s 2026 term

President: Ben KN6NDM, Vice President: Jim KN6NCG, Treasurer: Loyd KO6CWI, Secretary: Lisa KN6IAB

Board Member At Large: Martin KN6GWQ, Andrew N6AAG, Keenan K6MML