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.
This month we will have a presentation from Warren, KN6ZZI. He recently traveled to an African country to activate this remote location. He is going to share his experiences with us.
Many of us have hunted DX. Whether drawn by the promise of Logbook of The World awards, the challenge of working rare and distant stations, or just talking with people from all over the world, DXing is fun! Most of us have wondered what is it like to “Be the DX”. Curious about these questions, Warren – KN6ZZI, activated a VHF/HF radio station in Cape Verde, an African country comprised of an island archipelago 400 miles west of Senegal. Warren obtained a Cape Verde radio license (D44ZZI), arranged transportation for himself and his radio equipment, prepared medically and mentally, and set off on a great adventure! There were many challenges including water, food, shelter, insect infestations and electrical supply, to name a few. In spite of the challenges, operating as D44ZZI for over two weeks Warren logged 3074 QSOs, 2360 of them with unique callsigns from over 100 countries. Come hear Warren tell of his exciting and challenging experiences that lead him to conclude that “To be DX is better than to work DX.This is an in person meeting and will also be available on Zoom.
SBARC General Club Meeting
Friday, June 20, 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
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2240814679?pwd=YlpjOTVFWUFMc0xOWHZXNXpRd3Bidz09&omn=83734556683
Post expires at 7:38am on Saturday June 21st, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.
On May 19, 2025, Ken, KA6KEN and I joined The Explorers Club expedition to Santa Barbara Island. It’s the smallest and most remote in Channel Islands National Park.
There’s no dock, no cell service, and landings are only possible by skiff when weather and sea conditions cooperate. We brought along a VHF handheld and a directional antenna and made simplex contact with KK6SXA and KN6ZZI from the island’s summit, Signal Peak. It was a quick turnaround. We had less than 90 minutes on shore. But we made it work.
I documented the trip and put together a short film that tells the story, with some help from fellow explorers we met along the way.
📺 Watch the video below:
—Levi, K6LCM
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.
