What’s happening at SBARC? Here you will find the latest club news, events, projects, net activities, and news from our special interest groups (SIGS).
Be sure to check in frequently so you don’t miss out on any of the interesting things going on with the club and its members!
We have moved content for the Technical Mentoring and Elmering Net here, and content for the Digital Modes Net here.
Levi K6LCM recently gave a presentation for the Santa Barbara Science and engineering Council on his work on the Santa Barbara Airport Commission, aviation in Santa Barbara, and featured our ADSB system. Watch on YouTube below:
Post expires at 6:23am on Thursday January 1st, 2026 but will still be available in the archives.
We are going to talk about emergency communications and what type of communications we have available to us. Virtually every new member expresses an interest in emergency communications, but SBARC currently has no programs or classes available. We will have a couple of experts in the audience for this meeting, so we’re hoping we can come away with some good ideas.
Next month’s meeting is election night so we will be announcing the slate of candidates. We’ll also be opening up the nomination period for additional nominations from the membership.
Next month is also Home-brew Night. So be thinking about a project you can bring to share with others.
When was the last time you bought a new handheld radio just because it might be fun? Well, we found one we think you are going to like, and it’s really cheap. It has some interesting features such as a USB-C charging port, color screen, and programming can be done over Blue-tooth using a free app for your smartphone.
This is an in person meeting and will also be available on Zoom.
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, October 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta
Doors Open at 7:00pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83517622425?pwd=cS6bpbARpfw1Wm0ycwSTqRYYrONKsm.1
Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday October 18th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
Please join us for a good old fashioned potluck barbecue. SBARC will host this years get-together at Stow Grove Park on La Patera Lane in Goleta just before it intersects Cathedral Oaks Rd. We will be in Area 3. This is the smaller site with shade over the tables. This once-a-year SBARC event will be held on October 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 2:30 PM.
We’re holding this event a little late this year as we hope most people will be done with their end of summer traveling and will be able to attend.
This year will work much the same way as last year. SBARC will supply delicious 1/3 lb. hamburgers and cheeseburgers with all the fixings for all SBARC members and their immediate families. For non-members, burgers will be $5 each. You are welcome to bring your own beverages and we will have cold sodas and water available for $1.
Since this is a potluck, we are encouraging everyone to bring something to share. You can bring a salad, potato chips, beans, hot dish, cookies or other desert, whatever you like and whatever you have time for.
We hope you will join us for a relaxing meal and take the time to catch up with old friends. Of course, we can always use a little help setting things up before the event and cleaning things up afterwards. If you have a little time we would surely appreciate your help.
Hope to see you there!
Post expires at 11:08pm on Sunday October 19th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
As amateur radio operators, we are well aware that we are bombarded by radio signals day and night. We can’t get away from them unless we move into a deep cave or build a house size Faraday box.
EMF is a broader category that includes RF as well as other environmental exposure categories that, like to or not, we can’t avoid, EMF includes:
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION – Caused by nearby radio transmitters, 4G & 5G cellular phones and towers, WiFi routers and devices, Bluetooth devices, alarm systems, wireless cameras, baby monitors and other connected devices.
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION – Caused by ionizing and non-iodizing radiation that can cause serious damage to living tissue.
MAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION – Caused by the Earth’s magnetic field. sunlight, visible and infrared light, power lines. household appliances, hair dryers, electric shavers, microwaves, radios, computers, televisions, cell phones and wireless devices all. produce magnetic fields when in use.
Join us this Friday and we’ll learn more about this topic and how it might affect us.
This is an in person meeting and will also be available on Zoom.
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, August 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta
Doors Open at 7:00pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86021640011?pwd=E6lDKtFuDDhHnmmpIIMc0E82Y83PWK.1
Post expires at 1:10am on Saturday August 16th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
Our Club Secretary, Larry Martinez – WA6MVJ is an expert on trash. Not just any trash though. Specifically the trash orbiting our planet also known as Space Junk.
Space junk started accumulating with the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957. From that point on, every subsequent launch, including those of satellites and rocket stages, has added to the growing cloud of space debris orbiting Earth.
Space junk, also known as space debris, refers to any non-functional, human-made object orbiting Earth. This includes defunct satellites, discarded rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or explosions. It poses a significant risk to active satellites and spacecraft due to its high orbital velocities.
Space junk encompasses a wide range of objects, from large pieces like defunct satellites and rocket bodies to smaller items like screws, paint flecks, and even frozen water.
These objects are no longer serving a useful purpose in space and are instead orbiting the Earth, posing a potential hazard to active spacecraft and satellites.
Larry, who is a Professor Emeritus at California State University, Long Beach, travels the world talking about this and other cyber and outer space issues. This is sure to be an interesting evening.
This is an in person meeting and will also be available on Zoom.
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, July 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta
Doors Open at 7:00pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89799115190?pwd=50IzE1T6hN5T23EQ7q347cwGIrSQid.1
Post expires at 1:10am on Saturday July 19th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
Brian Milburn, foundation president (right) presented Olivia Hall (left) with a scholarship award on behalf of the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation at the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
July 10, 2025 – SANTA BARBARA, Calif.
The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of its annual scholarship, awarded to an outstanding local high school graduate who plans to pursue higher education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
Olivia Hall, a 2025 graduate of Orcutt Academy High School, was selected as the 2025 recipient of the award. Hall graduated with a 4.55 GPA and plans to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in the fall, where she will major in either industrial or mechanical engineering with a focus on manufacturing.
An active student on campus and in her community, Hall participated in FRC Robotics, Debate Club, National Honor Society, Freshman Connect Crew, Surf Club, and Garden Club. She is also a STEM pathway student and a first-generation college student.
“This scholarship will help me reduce the need to work full-time while I’m in college,” said Hall. “That means I can stay focused on my coursework, graduate on time with less debt, and begin my career in manufacturing sooner.”
“Olivia’s academic achievements and her clear goals for a future in engineering and manufacturing made her an excellent choice for this year’s scholarship,” said Milburn.
Hall is the latest recipient of this scholarship, which is awarded annually. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors in Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Luis Obispo Counties who plan to study Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics in higher education. Applicants should have an excellent academic record. While not requirements, preference is given to applicants who hold an active FCC amateur radio license.
Donations to the scholarship fund and applications by members of the class of 2026 may be submitted at scholarships.sbwireless.org.
The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation, together with the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, forms a nonprofit, public benefit organization that develops and supports wireless telecommunications technologies in support of public safety, emergency communications, community service, and scientific research in the Santa Barbara region. More information can be found at www.sbarc.org and www.sbwireless.org.
John Palminteri, KEYT News reporter, recently interviewed SBARC board member Warren – KN6ZZI. The interview focused on SBARC’s 2025 Field Day activity. The interview also provided insight into SBARC’s mission and capabilities. Importantly, the piece inspired many visitors, including a dozen or so youth, to attend the SBARC Field Day. Notably, two that attended last year’s event, having subsequently obtained their Technician level FCC license, worked many stations during Field Day this year. Thank you to all that contributed to Field Day, 2025 for helping make it a big success!
Follow the YouTube link, below, to view the video recording of the interview.
Post expires at 8:35am on Thursday July 31st, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
