New Live Mesh Network Map

SBARC Mesh Network Map

SBARC Mesh Network Map

Thanks to some very hard work by Eric KG6WXC, and with some help from Levi K6LCM, we now have a live, near real-time map online that displays the status of our mesh network.

Each mesh node has settings where the node owner can enter their station coordinates, and many users have done this. Eric devised a way to poll the network and read the coordinates and other details about each node and display them on a map. Then he went further, and calculated the link quality between nodes and displays that as a color coded line on the map.

This is a great addition to our network toolbox and a fun thing to check out. We can see how the network is performing at in a visual, easy to understand format. Check it out here!

Post expires at 8:19am on Wednesday November 30th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.

Technician License Classes Coming Up in November

Jay Hennigan – WB6RDV will once again be conducting a special series of four evening class on November 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th to help anyone interested in getting their technician license. These classes are intended to help you learn the basics and everything you will need to know to pass the technician license exam. Classes will start at 7pm and will be about two hours long. Jay focuses specifically on the actual test questions and answers. Jay is an excellent instructor with many years of experience and his curriculum will help you learn and pass the first time!

September 2016 SBARC VE Testing Session

September 2016 SBARC VE Testing Session

On Saturday November 12th, there will be a license exam session. Since the exam is being held the day after your classes end, your chances of remembering everything you learned will be greatly enhanced! If you have been thinking about getting into amateur radio, and can devote a few short hours, this is a great way to do it!

Classes are completely FREE and handicapped access is provided.

For more information or to register for classes please click here.

Post expires at 12:00pm on Friday November 11th, 2016 but will still be available in the archives.

Santa Ynez Peak linked to La Vigia (Mesa) repeater

Looking northwest from Santa Ynez Peak.

Looking northwest from Santa Ynez Peak.

Thanks to the efforts of the Telecommunications Services Committee, we are testing a new link between the Santa Ynez Peak 2-meter club repeater (W6YJO) and the main 146.79 2-meter club repeater (K6TZ) at the La Vigia/Mesa site.  This link will allow participants in North County to join the many nets on the 146.79 repeater and more easily engage in QSOs with hams on the South Coast.

Here are the details:
146.79- PL 131.8 in Downtown Santa Barbara is now linked to 145.18- PL 131.8 on Santa Ynez Peak.  Both are standard negative offsets (600 KHz).  Give both linked repeaters a try and see which one you can get into best!

At this point, this link is a beta test.  We hope to have it up full time during the test but there are no guarantees. If you have questions or experience any problems, please contact us.

Lois Clark McCoy SK

Lois Clark McCoy (1920 – 2016)

Lois was born Lois Clark October 1, 1920.

A graduate of Skidmore College with a Bachelors of Science in 1942. She married Dr. Herbert McCoy and had 7 children. An avid archer and outdoors-woman, she was active in the Sierra Club when she became interested in Search and Rescue. In 1968 she helped form the San Diego Mountain Rescue team, was an officer of SDMRT, and participated in many exercises and operations. Lois moved on to the national level and was executive secretary of the National Association for Search and Rescue. In 2002 the NASAR Service award was renamed the Lois Clark McCoy Service Award in recognition of her many years of service to Wild-land and Urban Search and Rescue. From 1982 through 1987 she served as South County Emergency Coordinator and Operations Officer for the County of Santa Barbara California. After leaving public service Lois became interested in Urban Search and Rescue and co-founded the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue. She served as CEO & president of NIUSR until 2012 when she retired. She developed one more program, Walking Drum, which was a social media based Think Tank for Readiness, Response, and Recovery. She had a second retirement in 2014.

Lois received recognition for her work and the work of her teams. This included the US Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service 2009.

Lois Clark McCoy passed away September 19, 2016. She passed peacefully with her chin up and her boots on.

Please join Lois’ family and friends in Santa Barbara California on Saturday October 1st (Lois’ Birthday) for a Wake at Harry’s Plaza Cafe (http://www.harryssb.com/ ) starting at 5PM. On Sunday October 2nd 11:30 am , there will be a “Celebration of Life” at the outdoor amphitheater at Godric Grove, in Elings Park, followed by a reception on the Grove Terrace. http://www.elingspark.org/

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to The American Red Cross Disaster Services or volunteer your time with a charity of your choice.