Club News

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.



November 17, 2023 General Meeting – Election and Home-brew Night

November meetings are always election night meetings, so members who did not vote online will be able to vote in person. Of course we’ll all be tallying up the votes and announcing the winners, so plan on being there, even if you already voted.

November meetings have traditionally also been Home-brew Night!  We invite everyone to bring a something you have built, or a project in progress, to show, demonstrate, and tell your ham friends about. Home-brew is what being a ham is all about! Anyone can go buy a radio, antenna or other accessory, but to many hams, building their own gear is much more fun and rewarding. So bring something (or a lot of things) because we’re all interested in seeing what you’re up to! 

We will also be hosting this meeting on Zoom, if you can’t attend in person, but please try to be there if you can to congratulate the new board members, whoever they are!

SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, November 17 at 7:30 PM
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta

Zoom Details
Topic: SBARC November Club Meeting
Time: Nov 17, 2023 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86560422518?pwd=VzNua1F5WUxwcVhUTWUwRFM1SGlDQT09

Meeting ID: 865 6042 2518
Passcode: 241358

We hope to see you all at the meeting!

Post expires at 8:01pm on Saturday November 18th, 2023 but will still be available in the archives.

New Packet Capabilities at TCF

We have just installed a new VHF packet node at the Talanian Communications Facility on the Mesa. The new station has a Winlink gateway that can gate mail between RF and the internet (perfect for emergencies), as well as a few other features, including a local keyboard chat room!

Check it out if you have a TNC or sound card modem for VHF packet on 145.050.

The main node is K6TZ-2 but the following aliases will connect you directly to the various services: MESA (main node), TZPBBS, TZCHAT, TZRMS (Winlink)

Note that BPQ is a little different than Kantronics. Commands like MHEARD and CONNECT (to hop) require a port number (in this case the port number to use is 2). More details in the welcome message.

Thanks to Doc, W6EW for donating the Kenwood TM-D700 to the club and to Bill, W1UUQ for leaping into action when I said I needed help tracing out the coax at his namesake TCF.

This is the first of a couple major planned packet upgrades. We expect to install an updated digipeater at the La Cumbre West Site in the coming weeks which will expand the reach of this node.

If you are interested in learning more about VHF packet radio and other digital modes, join us on Tuesday nights for the Digital Communications & Technology Net and consider joining our group mailing list.

-Levi, K6LCM
K6TZ Trustee

General Club Meeting – September 15, 2023

This month we are going to have a presentation from Gene Swiech WB9COY on Antennas

Gene is going to talk about antenna types, baluns, matching networks, polarization and more. This is something we all need a refresher on, and will be very informative for our newer members!

SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, September 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7pm)
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta

Zoom Details:

Topic: SBARC General Club Meeting – September 15, 2023
Time: Sep 15, 2023 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81888870959?pwd=QlNVWVU2d2RHRWlOU1Z4cHUra3MyQT09

Meeting ID: 818 8887 0959
Passcode: 442446

Post expires at 1:06am on Saturday September 16th, 2023 but will still be available in the archives.

SBARC Summer Potluck Barbecue – September 10th 2023

stowgroveWe’re back on for this weekend! You are invited to join us for a good old fashioned summertime 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 once-a-year SBARC event will be held on September 10, 2023, from 10:00 AM until 2:30 PM. 

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.

Please RSVP so we know how much food to buy. Call our message line at 805-456-K6TZ (456-5689) or send a message through our Contact Us link and let us know if you are attending and how many people you will be bringing.

Hope to see you there!

Post expires at 1:05am on Monday September 11th, 2023 but will still be available in the archives.

SBARC Club Meeting – August 18, 2023

General Club Meeting – August, 18 2023

This month we are going to have a presentation from board member Dave AI6VX.

Printed Circuit Board Layout and Fabrication

Dave Schmidt AI6VX will talk about printed circuit board design including creating the schematic, circuit layout using Kicad, and fabrication and how to order online. It’s not as hard as you think!

SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, August 18, 2023 at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7pm)
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta

Zoom Details:

Topic: SBARC General Club Meeting
Time: August 18, 2023 07:00 PM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87271784684?pwd=ZWlzd0I1enF3Sy8wOUhHVUsrclRZQT09

Meeting ID: 872 7178 4684 – Passcode: 568466

Post expires at 11:15pm on Friday August 18th, 2023 but will still be available in the archives.