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.
Wayne AF6GX, Michael K6RQV, and Bill W1UUQ made a trip to Channel Islands Harbor this week to troubleshoot and repair a radio problem on the National Park Service Park Ranger patrol boat. The were able to locate and fix the problem which was due to an improperly installed and damaged antenna connector. This is a perfect example how the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation provides valuable public services. Thanks Wayne, Michael and Bill!
Post expires at 6:23am on Monday June 16th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
Every year at our May general meeting we celebrate Old Timers Night. This allows us the opportunity to honor those with multiple decades of experience in amateur radio. Many of our more “seasoned” members have been SBARC members for most, if not all of their time as licensed hams. This is good opportunity to thank them for their service to the club and to the amateur radio community in general.
We are also going to look a the world of Software Defined Radio which has been posphoned for the past couple off months. While these radios can listen to amateur radio frequencies, you can also explore the radio waves that are all around you. These radios are fun to use and the software for them is generally free.
This is an in person meeting and will also be available on Zoom.
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, May 16, 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 Details:
Topic: SBARC General Club Meeting – May 16, 2025
Time: May 16, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88131603071?pwd=owsVO4Ga1csPrt4p0GLwrI9AxXsqQT.1
Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday May 17th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
Since we assume that everyone is interested in radio, we’ll be looking at some various types of software defined radios. While these radios can listen to amateur radio frequencies, you can also explore the radio waves that are all around you. These radios are fun to use and the software for them is generally free.
Please join us this Friday!
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7pm)
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta
Zoom Details:
SBARC K6TZ is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: April Club Meeting
Time: Apr 18, 2025 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86422274349?pwd=61aHim0uqMaZqbUDNHubjQwpth4VxU.1
Meeting ID: 864 2227 4349
Passcode: 867922
Post expires at 1:06am on Saturday April 19th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
For this months meeting we will be joined by Rick Closson. Rick is part of the EQ25 project that is commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the great Santa Barbara earthquake. This was truly an event where ham radio saved lives. It was local hams, using early radio transceivers that were able to let the world know we needed help. We have been invited to help reenact this historical event,
The earthquake nearly flattened the downtown area and changed the face of State Street forever. Rick will tell us more about the earthquake at the meeting and explain how SBARC can help support this event. This is a great opportunity to get publicity and public recognition.
You can learn more about the earthquake and commemoration at https://eq25.org
Please join us this Friday!
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2025 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: Mar 21, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81598651606?pwd=XDqHsIQa2nsVLH5h2GPKBgC2sDblVU.1
Meeting ID: 815 9865 1606
Passcode: 105176
Post expires at 3:44pm on Saturday March 22nd, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
With Field Day planning getting underway, we’re going to try to focus on various aspects of HF operation in some of the upcoming meetings. In recent years it seems like interest in HF has dropped off somewhat. Luckily, Warren KN6ZZI has a keen interest in HF and he will be heading up SBARCs Field Day project again this year,
This year we want to add some digital mode operation into the mix, so for this meeting we’re going to be going over some of the most popular modes.
Most people are aware of some of the original modes like RTTY and PSK 31, but newer modes like FT8 and FT4 are becoming immensely popular. With their ability to pull signals out of the noise, even the most modest stations can make contacts the world over.
Please join us this Friday!
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2025 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: Feb 21, 2025 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83403374119?pwd=hwt1REFY56CGHlWSKjfcvFio404BMh.1
Meeting ID: 834 0337 4119
Passcode: 073810
Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday February 22nd, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
The election for year 2024 is complete. All incumbents were reelected and will return to serve in 2025.
The dues increase measure passed and dues will be increased to $40 annually effective January 1, 2025.
Importantly, the measure concerning changing the corporate name to Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation was approved by the membership. The next steps will include a final draft of the Bylaws to reflect the changes, and formal adoption by the board at the first board meeting in January 2025. Certain changes regarding bank accounts, IRS and state forms, licensing, and other items will be performed by the appropriate board members. Levi K6LCM will remain as Club Trustee, and Wayne AF6GX will remain as Site Trustee. These appointments are ongoing and are not subject to annual changes. Bill W1UUQ remains Trustee Emeritus, a lifetime appointment.
You may notice some subtle changes to our public facing materials to reflect the new corporate name in areas where we want to promote ourselves as a more professional, multi-faceted organization. This will be an exciting time as we work to restore our relevance as leaders in the communications field.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. Your participation ensures that all voices are heard. Thanks also to our board members for organizing and holding this years election.
Post expires at 10:20am on Friday January 10th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
November meetings are always election night meetings. Members who do 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.
We are also going to be talking about getting set up with Winlink. Winlink is a very useful system you can use to send email over RF without the internet. Winlink has been around for awhile, but it is getting easier to use and SBARC is now fully equipped to handle members emergency email traffic.
It’s Home Brew Night Too!
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!
The meeting will also be available 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 15, 2024 at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7pm)
Goleta Union School District Board Room
401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta
Zoom Details:
Topic: General Club Meeting – November 2024
Time: Nov 15, 2024 07:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85645742809?pwd=l46QUn9PaPQ1M2z2DY3gPLFVGC2wqC.1
Meeting ID: 856 4574 2809
Passcode: 036337
Post expires at 1:42am on Saturday November 16th, 2024 but will still be available in the archives.
